On December 26, 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 started a series of tsunamis that killed more than 200,000 people in twelve countries. Areas hit by the deadliest tsunami in recorded history include Indonesia, Thailand, the north-western coast of Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Somalia.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 million children have been affected or displaced by this natural disaster. An additional five million people are now homeless and need safe drinking water, food supplies, and health services. The organization fears that disease prompted by contaminated water supplies and damaged sanitation systems could result in a similar number of fatalities in the aftermath of the tsunami.

In response to this tragedy, our company, Bright Beginnings Nutritionals, donated $250,000 worth of Bright Beginnings™ infant formula and pediatric nutritional drinks to help feed young victims of the tsunami. These products were contributed to a South Asian relief and development program directed by Operation USA, a privately funded organization that has been conducting relief flights and sea and land shipments throughout the world since 1979.

“Our hearts go out to the victims of this terrible tragedy,” said Paul B. Manning, president and CEO of Bright Beginnings Nutritionals. “Since we specialize in food and nutritional offerings, donating ready-to-drink products for infants and children who may not have access to clean drinking water is the least we can do to help with the response.”

On February 2, portions of the Bright Beginnings contribution were flown from Los Angeles to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on a chartered 747 cargo jet donated by Atlas Air. Emergency airlifts of this nature have been a signature activity of Operation USA for more than 25 years. The remaining products were simultaneously shipped to Sri Lanka and other parts of South Asia.