Delivery companies support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts

Courier and express delivery companies have pledged their support – in both cash and transportation resources – to help with the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in the US. In official statements issued yesterday (29 August), FedEx said it has committed $1m in cash and transportation support to deliver critical medical aid and supplies in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and UPS also made a more than a $1m pledge to support recovery efforts in Texas and Louisiana.

“In this time of enormous need,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer, “it is critical to establish and support extensive networks of public-private partnerships to get aid to those who need it, as quickly as possible

“At the same time, setting aside funding and other resources for long-term recovery efforts is also important, and we are laying that groundwork as well.”

David J. Bronczek, president and chief operating officer of FedEx Corp, said: “FedEx will continue to work closely with humanitarian and disaster relief organizations to provide support and deliver supplies to assist those hardest hit by the storm.”

Inevitably, deliveries for post and parcels in the affected areas of Texas and Louisiana have been disrupted by the storm.

In a statement issued yesterday, the US Postal Service (USPS) said that it had suspended services at several facilities.

“Dozens of Post Offices have been affected by Harvey, which made landfall Aug. 25 and was later downgraded to a tropical storm,” added the USPS statement. “Some facilities where service was suspended during the weekend have since reopened, after it was deemed safe to do so.”

USPS Southern Area VP Shaun Mossman commented: “Our employees are making every effort to serve all of our customers affected by this storm. We will continue to deliver mail and packages where we can, but the safety of our employees always comes first.”