Carnival Corporation & PLC donates $2 million to aid Hurricane Sandy victims

(News Release)

Donation to benefit four charities engaged in relief, rebuilding efforts

MIAMI — Carnival Corporation & plc is donating $2 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy that struck the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, and devastated New Jersey and New York. The funds are earmarked for four charities providing an array of relief and rebuilding services and support.

The Robin Hood Relief Fund will receive $1 million, Habitat for Humanity International will receive $500,000, and Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City — Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts each will receive $250,000.

"Super Storm Sandy was one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and on behalf of the 90,000 global employees of Carnival Corporation & plc we are pleased to provide this financial support to those who were affected by the storm," said Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. “We also have a special relationship with the region, with several ships either homeported or visiting the area as a port of call, as well as  hundreds of thousands of  residents who sail on the fleets of our various cruise brands.”

The Robin Hood Relief Fund launched a large-scale relief effort to aid those in the tri-state area within hours of the storm, providing more than $17.6 million in grants to more than 160 different groups. The organization now is moving into phase two of its recovery effort, providing for the long-term needs created by the storm including: housing, job-training, legal counseling and more, with 100 percent of donations going to Sandy relief. www.robinhood.org/rhsandy 

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that builds houses for people in need. Carnival Corporation’s donation has been earmarked for the five Habitat chapters that have been affected by the storm and are assisting with the recovery efforts. Following the storm, Habitat for Humanity International launched a multiphase response to help affected communities. This effort includes a range of services that will address both the short-term and long-term need for safe and decent housing.

On Dec. 17 Habitat for Humanity deployed the first-ever fleet of Habitat Mobile Response Units from Atlanta to assist communities in New York and New Jersey. The 24 Express vans are especially outfitted with tools and equipment for critical home repairs. www.habitat.org 

Save the Children's domestic emergency response teams were dispatched to New Jersey and New York within 48 hours of the storm to work with children and families in shelters, and communities to identify both short- and longer-term needs. The organization also is coordinating with national partners to assess the critical needs of families impacted by the storm. By Nov. 30, Save the Children had assisted 40,400 children and adults.

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is assisting with immediate and long-term restoration efforts throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The fund is accepting financial donations to support hurricane relief efforts, and 100 percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Grant funds have supported the supply and transport of emergency needs including hot food, toiletries, baby supplies, cleaning materials, warm clothing and medications to communities hit hardest by the hurricane. The Mayor's Fund also is committed to rebuilding and restoration efforts including assistance for displaced families, schools, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, parks and other impacted groups. http://www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/home/home.shtml

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest cruise company in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK). 

Together, these brands operate 100 ships totaling 203,000 lower berths with nine new ships scheduled to be delivered between March 2013 and March 2016. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices.