United Health Foundation, Project HOPE partner to help Filipinos affected by typhoon Haiyan

UnitedHealth Group's (NYSE: UNH) United Health Foundation is partnering with Project HOPE, a U.S.-based charity, to help Filipinos affected by typhoon Haiyan receive urgent medical care and critical medical supplies. United Health Foundation and the employees of UnitedHealth Group have committed at least $750,000 to fund Project HOPE's efforts.

Working in conjunction with the U.S. Navy, Project HOPE will deliver medical supplies, and assemble and deploy teams of volunteer nurses and physicians to disaster recovery sites in the Philippines to deliver critical medical care to people affected by the typhoon. United Health Foundation donations will directly fund the cost of delivering these teams to the Philippines.

"We are greatly saddened by the loss of life and immense destruction caused by typhoon Haiyan," said Kate Rubin, vice president of Social Responsibility for UnitedHealth Group and president of United Health Foundation. "Given the scale of the disaster, there is an acute need for medical humanitarian assistance. By working with Project HOPE we will be able to help people get the necessary medical care, medicines and resources they need. Our hearts go out to the people of the Philippines."

According to the Philippines government, more than 2,500 people lost their lives and an estimated 600,000 have been displaced from their homes as a result of typhoon Haiyan. It is the worst natural disaster in Philippines history.