The Walt Disney Company is to give $2.5 million in humanitarian aid to communities left devastated by Hurricane Irma.
The company said in a statement that the funds would go towards supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross, UNICEF, Save the Children and other nonprofit groups as they deal with the aftermath of the deadly hurricane which tore a path of destruction through the Caribbean, Florida and the southeastern United States.
Read more: Florida Jewish Communities in Path of Hurricane Irma Determined to Ride out Storm Because of Sabbath
"As millions of people now face the daunting challenge of putting their lives and communities back together in the wake of these historic hurricanes, they need our help," Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company said.
"We're donating $2.5 million to support relief and recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Irma. This is in addition to nearly $16 million we raised after Hurricane Harvey to help ensure storm victims have the support needed to recover and rebuild," he added.
The death toll from Irma has reached 22 in the United States, as rescue efforts continue, ABC news reported. Following rolling blackouts particularly in southern Florida but also in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. Some 4.4 million people in Florida were still without power as of Tuesday afternoon.
At the southernmost point of Florida to be hit by Irma, the Florida Keys, the state's governor Rick Scott said the storm left scenes of "devastation." On Tuesday, the roads to the keys, which were left cut off from the mainland for days, were reopened to residents.
Disney's own parks in Florida, Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios were closed Sunday and Monday, reopening on Tuesday. Its water parks will remain closed until later in the week, Disney has said in a statement.
As many as 40 people were killed by Irma in the Caribbean, the BBC reported. European countries have been increasing their relief efforts in their overseas territories amid criticism to their response to the hurricane.Thousands of people ignored calls to evacuate from the Islands last week, and held out, dangerously exposed, during the storm.
During Hurricane Irma, Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line donated meals, provided storage for supplies and power-utility vehicles, donated bedding to shelters, and made rooms available for first responders.
Following Hurricane Harvey, the company raised just under $16 million to help storm victims rebuild their lives and communities.
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