Walmart Inc. and its charitable arm are donating $1 million to a relief organization aiding residents of Gaza as conditions in that region permit. Walmart has already given $1 million for emergency services work in Israel.
The Bentonville-based retailer said on Saturday that the funds from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will go to Direct Relief, a nonprofit providing emergency medical aid to civilians during the current cease-fire.
The outbreak of war after the Oct. 7 attack by terrorists on Israel caused both a spike in health needs in Gaza and a cutoff of the humanitarian health assistance that Direct Relief has provided for years, the organization said.
Direct Relief is now preparing a 100-pallet shipment of 14 tons of basic health commodities valued at $3.6 million. The shipment will leave this week for Gaza via Jordan and Egypt.
The nonprofit said on Friday that these efforts are made possible by its supporters including Walmart and the Walmart Foundation.
Direct Relief is also sending specialized supplies for people with diabetes and other chronic medical conditions.