Miami Distribution Center Hosts Press Conference for Major U.S. Government Policy Announcement

(Miami, Fla.; May 28, 2008) – Against a backdrop of USAID supplies in Crowley’s Miami warehouse, the U.S. Agency for International Administration’s Henrietta Fore announced Friday (5/23) the agency is adding $25 million in emergency food aid to Haiti, bringing its total contribution to $45 million. The funds will go to the World Food Program, Catholic Relief Services and World Vision, working in Haiti to provide more than 36,000 tons of staples that include beans, rice, vegetable oil, lentils, bulgur, peas and corn meal.

In addition to providing immediate relief to nearly 2.5 million Haitians, the emergency assistance will offer longer-term support during the next 12-months by targeting the nations most vulnerable populations the sick and disabled, orphans, mothers, children and the elderly. The plan also offers a food for work arrangement that pays Haitians with food to rebuild irrigation systems, roads and reclaim land. These improvements are aimed at boosting crop production and agricultural commerce.

“The United States remains ready to help the people of Haiti overcome emergency food shortages and to make progress in the long term,” Fore said. “We stand with the Haitians who are working to sustain democracy, a vibrant civil society and a just and accountable government.”

“Since 2004, the U.S. has provided more than $600 million in aid to Haiti and President Bush has called for $245 million in assistance for 2009,” she said.

Fore serves USAID as Administrator and Director of United States Foreign Assistance as nominated by President George W. Bush in 2007. As the first female administrator of USAID, she is responsible for managing U.S. foreign assistance, including support to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. She oversees a staff of approximately 8,000, of whom more than 75 percent are working overseas in USAID field offices.

Crowley is no stranger to disaster relief programs. In June of 2007, the company signed a contract with USAID to warehouse and ship disaster relief items from the Miami distribution facility to locations throughout the world prior to, during and following an emergency. Upon notification from USAID that these items are needed, Crowley has only two hours to prepare the load for shipping. As such, a special rapid response warehouse team has been put together to meet these stringent shipping requirements. After an earthquake rocked Peru, Crowley quickly sent supplies as directed to Cielos de Peru Airlines for transport to that country. Service was also requested by USAID for Jamaica because of the damage done by Hurricane Dean to name a few.

By holding the press conference in Crowley’s Miami warehouse, the department was able to bring together the Haitian community in south Florida and marked the first time that such a major announcement had been made from a Crowley facility.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in San Francisco in 1892, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides diversified transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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