DALLAS, Nov 29, 2013/ — In an announcement yesterday, H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB has confirmed that it has signed a contract for the first store opening in Manila, Philippines. The flagship store is planned to open during 2014 in the shopping centre SM Megamall, Manila.
And though the trendy retailer has not “moved-in” yet, it is already giving its support the Philippines. Ravaged by super typhoon Haiyan, H&M through its H&M Conscious Foundation has donated US$100,000 to back the Red Cross in the initial rescue phase.
The funding gave the opportunity to support the work of search and rescue, handing out blankets, jerry cans, hygiene kits and sleeping mats. Food packages were also handed out. Additional rescue work may be done, pending the assessment of the situation such as for e.g. psycho social support and other activities.
The typhoon hit the Philippines on Sunday November 10, 2013. Thousands of stranded families and children are in urgent need of food, clean drinking water and medical assistance.
According to estimates done by the Red Cross and media, more than 5.4 million people, half of them children, are estimated to have lost their homes and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Around 10,000 people are estimated to have lost their lives.
