Maharashtra
Mumbai – November 20, 2008 – MasterCard Worldwide has awarded $40,000 for AmeriCares expanded work in India. The Purchase, N.Y.-based company’s support was instrumental in the opening of AmeriCares new India warehouse and allowed AmeriCares to expand partnerships with India-based pharmaceutical companies.
AmeriCares has been responding to natural disasters and delivering medical assistance to people living in devastating poverty in India for more than 15 years. AmeriCares India provides a strong platform for AmeriCares to acquire donated medicines throughout India and the region, tapping India’s thriving pharmaceutical sector – one of the largest in the world. The warehouse in Mumbai will serve as a distribution hub, enabling AmeriCares to respond to emergencies and ongoing medical needs throughout India, Asia and Africa quicker and more cost-effectively.
“About one-third of the people worldwide who lack access to basic medicines – more than 700 million people – live in India. With support from MasterCard, we will help many of them live longer, healthier lives,” said AmeriCares President & CEO Curt Welling.
MasterCard is a longtime supporter of both AmeriCares international and domestic work. Employees organize a golf tournament each year for Camp AmeriKids, a summer camp in New York for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. Camp AmeriKids is a community program of AmeriCares.
“MasterCard is proud to be a partner of AmeriCares around the world,” said Ed McCraw, MasterCard’s vice president of philanthropy. “AmeriCares is a highly professional and disciplined organization that is providing disaster relief in some of the most needy areas of the world. As a global company, we are pleased to be a part of this effort.”