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Hurrican Irma: Walt Disney Company makes $2.5m aid donation

A $2.5 million donation to aid those impacted by Hurricane Irma is to be made by The Walt Disney Company.

The funds will help the response and recovery efforts of the American Red Cross, UNICEF, Save the Children, and other non-profit organisations.

In addition, eligible Disney employee donations to qualified organisations involved in the Hurricane Irma relief effort will be matched dollar for dollar by the entertainments giant.

Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line donated meals, provided storage for supplies and power-utility vehicles, donated bedding to shelters, and made rooms available for first responders during the hurricane.

Disney will also be donating goods and services throughout the region as other needs are identified.

Chairman and chief executive Robert Iger said: “As millions of people now face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together in the wake of these historic hurricanes, they need our help.

“We’re donating $2.5 million to support relief and recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Irma.

“This is in addition to nearly $16 million we raised after Hurricane Harvey to help ensure storm victims have the support needed to recover and rebuild.”

Irma, the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade, earlier left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, where nearly 40 people were killed.

The storm also claimed more than 24 lives in the US after striking south-west Florida on Sunday morning as a category four hurricane before weakening to a tropical depression on Monday.

Authorities estimate 25% of the homes in the Florida Keys were destroyed and 65% sustained major damage.

Relief efforts are underway in the worst affected Caribbean islands which rely almost entirely on tourism, including the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Barbuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands, St Martin and St Barts, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in an updated travel advisory for the US: “Large parts of Florida remain without power and access to fuel may be difficult.

“Orlando authorities are still advising against all but essential travel to Miami by road.”

For Cuba, the FCO said: “Most areas do not have mains water supply or electricity, so extra care is needed during hours of darkness.”

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Irma poses trade ‘biggest challenge since ash cloud’

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