ArcelorMittal donates $100,000 to Haiti victims

TORONTO - The ArcelorMittal Global Foundation, set up by the world’s biggest steel company, has announced to donate $100,000 to relief work for the victims of last week’s earthquake in Haiti.

ArcelorMittal Montreal Inc., which is the Canadian subsidiary of the steel giant and Canada’s fourth largest steel producer, said in a statement Tuesday that it will channel its donations through the Montreal-based Canadian wing of ‘Doctors Without Borders’.

Also known as Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) in French, ‘Doctors Without Borders’ is in the frontline of rescue efforts in Haiti.

“Monies will be provided to the ‘Doctors without Borders’ (MSF) organization which is already working on relief efforts in Haiti,” the ArcelorMittal statement said.

“ArcelorMittal’s collaborative effort with ‘Doctors Without Borders’ will extend for a two-month timeframe, further ensuring support for both emergency relief and recovery efforts,” the statement added.

Reputed for their quick response to reach out to the victims in disaster zones of the world, ‘Doctors Without Border’ is endorsed and supported by the world’s top celebrities. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have already announced to donate $1 million to ‘Doctors Without Borders’ for its rescue operations in Haiti.

Meanwhile, Canada Tuesday raised its humanitarian relief for Haiti by another $80 million, taking its total assistance to $135 million.

“As the international community ramps up its assistance, contributions from Canada and other countries are starting to make a difference in caring for the injured, preventing the spread of disease and providing water, food and other essentials,” said International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda Tuesday.

Ordinary Canadians have also raised millions of dollars for the quake victims. Canada, whose head of state (governor general) is Haitian-born Michaelle Jean, has so far reported loss of 12 Canadian lives in the earthquake. About 700 Canadian nationals are reportedly still missing.