US Customs and Border Protection photo by Kris Grogan.

The Bacardi family and company have pledged an extremely generous $3m donation for the ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts which are continuing in those areas of Puerto Rico, Florida, the Caribbean and The Bahamas hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria – plus the terrible earthquake in Mexico.

The company says it has earmarked $2m for Puerto Rico, the home of the Bacardi rum distillery and the Casa Bacardi Visitor Center, plus $1m for the other aforementioned impacted areas.

Commenting on the terrible consequences wreaked by the hurricanes and earthquake, Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of family-owned Bacardi Limited said: “The Bacardi family, company and our employees are deeply saddened by the devastation and horrific loss caused by the recent hurricanes and earthquakes.

HUGELY GENEROUS DONATIONS

“We hope these donations will help alleviate some of the stress and pain people are experiencing while addressing some of their most basic needs.”

With the aid of these generous contributions, Bacardi will provide immediate relief and longer-term rebuilding efforts, working alongside several not-for-profit partners and local governments – including the Government of Puerto Rico –in affected communities.

Facundo Bacardi added: ““Disaster relief aid is part of our Philanthropy & Community Investment mission to provide assistance to communities in need. We’re working closely with government agencies and not-for-profit partners to identify the most pressing needs so we can provide meaningful support.”

Sheer devastation in Puerto Rico where huge numbers of houses were literally ruined or destoyed by Hurricane Maria. This was the scene captured from a US Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operation Black Hawk during a flyover of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria September 23, 2017. The hurricane completely destroyed the island’s power grid, leaving all 3.4m residents without electricity. PHOTO CREDIT: US Customs and Border Protection – Kris Grogan.

[This $3m pledge is in addition to the Bacardi USA contribution of up to $100,000 to support its business partners and others affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas–Ed].

The Bacardi company says many of the impacted communities are considered home to its operations, offices, and employees. In addition to operations in Puerto Rico, Bacardi rum is bottled in Jacksonville, Fla., and South Florida is home to the Bacardi North America regional headquarters office

The company has also had offices and production facilities for its rum and tequila brands in Mexico since 1931 and although the firm no longer has facilities in The Bahamas, it says its donation is recognition of the people of The Bahamas, considering the company produced its rum there for nearly 50 years.

ALL BACARDI’S EMPLOYEES ARE THOUGHT TO BE SAFE…

The company added: “Corporate responsibility has always been a priority for Bacardi. Company founder and BACARDÍ rum creator Don Facundo Bacardí Massó began this tradition in 1852 when he volunteered as the chief organizer of disaster relief in his hometown of Santiago de Cuba after a devastating earthquake.

“Since then, the Bacardí family and company have continued to build upon his commitment to assist in times of catastrophic natural disasters. In recent years, Bacardi has made donations to aid organizations supporting relief efforts in Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, Chile, and the United States.

Meanwhile, the company has reported that all of its employees in Mexico are thankfully safe and there has been only ‘minor damage’ to the company’s rum facilities. The company is still assessing the situation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria where its facilities ‘experience some damage’.