Walmart Associates

Wal-Mart Associates -- Initially, more than 34,000 Wal-Mart associates were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. So far, we have been in contact with 87% of these associates to learn they are working or safe. -- Our goal is to help associates get back on their feet and move forward with their lives. The Wal-Mart Emergency Information Line, established to answer associates questions and concerns, has fielded more than 15,000 calls. - Any displaced associate can come and work in any other U.S. Wal-Mart store. Thus far, these associates have been transposed and are working from stories as far away as Alaska, California and Nevada, with many more in neighboring states of Georgia, Texas, and Florida. - Displaced associates are eligible for up to $1,000 from our Associate Disaster Relief Fund if their homes were flooded or destroyed. We have already provided cash assistance to more than 6,100 associates, totaling more than $3.6 million in associate relief.


In-Store and On-Line Assistance -- Today, Wal-Mart made available its gift registry kiosks for anyone displaced by the hurricane to sign up for items they need. It allows those across the country wishing to contribute items to do so. -- The on-line Emergency Contact Service established through in-store kiosks and on-line via walmart.com and samsclub.com is helping the public to locate and communicate with their friends and family members. So far it has received more than 11,000 postings and more than 1 million hits.