Apple CEO Tim Cook announced via Twitter that the tech company would support the people of Haiti after the country suffered a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 14.
Apple to Help Haiti in Recent Earthquake
According to USGS, the earthquake's epicenter was 13 kilometers or 8 miles away from Saint-Louis Du Sud.
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake was felt in Port-au-Prince, the country's capital, 150 kilometers or 93 miles away from the epicenter.
On Aug. 15, authorities in the region stated that around 304 people have died, and more than 1,800 people have been injured.
According to Sky News, Prime Minister Ariel Henry has declared a state of emergency that will run for a month after the event caused major damage to some towns.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook posted a tweet on his personal account that states the company would be assisting with aid efforts after the event. Cook stated that the tech giant would be donating to help the affected communities of Haiti.
Our hearts are with all those in Haiti who are once again facing the consequences of a devastating earthquake. Apple will be donating to assist relief and recovery efforts in the affected communities.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 15, 2021
Cook also mentioned Apple's relief efforts for Haiti back in 2010 when the country also suffered a major earthquake. The tech company assisted aid efforts by accepting donations via iTunes.
Apple's 2010 Donation
In 2010, thousands of people were found dead after a series of earthquakes struck Haiti. Both Apple and the American Red Cross accepted donations for aid and relief through iTunes Music Store, according to Apple Insider.
A link was posted on the store's front page to make it easier for customers to contribute. The site accepted donations from $5 to $200.
The donations were charged through the credit cards that users stored in their iTunes account, in the same way that a music or movie purchase would be charged.
Although Apple has not detailed how it will provide aid to Haiti this year, there is a possibility that it will follow the same process that it did back in 2010.
The contributions will be anonymous, as Apple does not want to reveal the user's personal information to the American Red Cross and other organizations through the transactions.
Users who will donate will receive an email confirmation, and that will be the only evidence of the donation that Apple can provide for tax write-off purposes.
In 2010, the donations that were available were $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200. All of the contributions were given to the American Red Cross.
The tech giant is known to extend a helping hand to countries and organizations that need help. In 2020, Apple donated a part of their "Product Red" sales to COVID-19 relief.
The company also teamed up with Google to create software that made contact tracing faster and easier.
The two tech companies used Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus and trace those exposed to people who were infected, all while keeping the individual's privacy and security.
A couple of leading universities, public health authorities, and NGOs worldwide helped develop the opt-in contact tracing technology used throughout last year.
Apple and Google also launched APIs as well as operating system-level technology that assisted health care providers in contact tracing patients.
However, both Apple and Google agreed to terminate the project as soon as the pandemic is under control.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
