Abbott offers donation to assist Japanese earthquake relief efforts

Abbott is providing a cash donation to help support the relief efforts being carried out in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

A contribution of $3 million (1.88 million pounds) has been made to the Japanese Red Cross via the company's philanthropic foundation the Abbott Fund, in association with AmeriCares.

The move is part of Abbott's longstanding commitment to corporate responsibility and global citizenship programmes, with the firm having recently provided donations to assist recovery efforts following natural disasters in areas such as Haiti and Chile.

It also helps to support a region in which Abbott holds a significant presence, operating main offices in Tokyo, Fukui and Chiba.

Miles White, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, said: "Abbott and the Abbott Fund are providing this support to help advance immediate relief efforts."

This comes after the firm allied with Partners in Health in January 2011 on a joint initiative to combat severe childhood malnutrition in Haiti.