REGINE SIXT CHILDREN’S AID FOUNDATION SUPPORT AFTER THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN ST. VINCENT

Fort Lauderdale, June 30, 2021 – When the volcano La Soufrière on the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent began a series of explosive eruptions on April 9, 2021, it covered entire sections of the island with ash and smoke. About 20,000 people – among them approximately 5,000 children – had to evacuate or flee from their homes. Camps around the island provided shelter but struggled to supply the displaced with clean drinking water. Volcanic activity was ongoing until April 22 and is expected to continue for the next months. St. Vincent and neighboring Barbados were covered in more than 100 million cubic meters of ash. Additionally, a series of heavy rainfalls started mud flows in many valleys in early May as fresh ash deposits were remobilized, posing a new threat to the inhabited areas in St. Vincent. Without access to their homes and uncertainty about when they would be able to return home, basic needs of the refugees had to be met and everyday items were in great demand. The Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears” stepped in to help and provide comfort for the children staying in shelters.

As CEO of the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears” and Honorary Consul General of Barbados in Germany, Regine Sixt immediately decided to support the children affected by the disaster when she learned about the events in St. Vincent. In collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean of the World Pediatric Project (WPP), SIXT USA in the name of the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation sent urgently needed items to the island. The initiative was largely supported with donations by local staff of SIXT USA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition to around 200 play tents sponsored by the company, SIXT employees in Fort Lauderdale donated over 100 essential childcare items such as baby diapers, wipes, and formula, as well as toys and clothes for the children in the different shelters. They were delivered by container ship from the port of Miami directly to St. Vincent. Based in the Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean of the World Pediatric Project managed the receipt of the shipment and the distribution among the many shelters around the island.

Lauren McIntosh, Executive Director for the Eastern Caribbean of the World Pediatric Project: 
“WPP would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation that came to the immediate assistance of children whose lives have been significantly impacted by the eruptions of the La Soufriere Volcano. While we continue to struggle to resume our daily activities, the spirits of children and communities have been lifted by the generosity of groups such as SIXT, who has recognized our immense need and have offered assistance in this moment of great urgency. WPP is honored to have partnered with SIXT in providing this much needed support to affected families across St. Vincent.”

Regine Sixt, Senior Executive Vice President SIXT International, Founder and Chairwoman of the Board of the Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears:” 
“It is dear to my heart to help wherever children get in need. When we heard about how many children had to leave their homes after the volcanic eruption of La Soufrière, it was a matter of cause for us to support them. We are very happy that we have been able to contribute our part to the benefit of the affected children of St. Vincent and hope that most of the children and their families will soon be able to return to their homes.”

Thomas Kennedy, President and CFO of SIXT USA:
“We quickly determined it was very important to help and provide relief for the disaster in St. Vincent.  I want to thank our entire team here in Ft. Lauderdale for their immense efforts to donate essential items, such as clothes, tents, baby items and toys to the affected children.”

About Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears”:
The Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation “Drying Little Tears” develops and implements projects in the areas of education, health, care, and emergency aid. Founded in 2000, the Foundation has become the official Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of Sixt SE and an integral part of the SIXT corporate culture. Round about 7,000 employees worldwide are involved and have supported more than 210 projects in over 55 countries so far. More information:
www.drying-little-tears.org

Contact:
Regine Sixt Children’s Aid Foundation
Christiane Wörle
Tel.: +49 – (0)89 – 74444 4781
E-mail: kinderhilfe@sixt.com 

About World Pediatric Project (“WPP”)
World Pediatric Project (“WPP”) is a non-profit organization that provides critical pediatric tertiary healthcare to children throughout the Eastern Caribbean, with the surgical hub for the region located in St. Vincent. WPP has provided surgical and diagnostic care to children more than 3300 Vincentians at a value of over US$30,000,000.  A Volcano Fund was started as soon as the devastation faced by not only WPP families but so many communities, became clear. The Volcano Fund, in collaboration with partners and suppliers, aims to provide health and medical supplies as well as supplies for children and babies.

Contact:
World Pediatric Project
Lauren C.N. McIntosh
Tel.: +1 – 784 451 2989
Website: worldpediatricproject.org

About SIXT
Sixt SE with its registered office in Pullach near Munich, is a leading international provider of high-quality mobility services. With its products SIXT rent, SIXT share, SIXT ride and SIXT+ the company offers a uniquely integrated premium mobility service across the fields of vehicle and commercial vehicle rental, car sharing, ride hailing and car subscriptions. The products can be booked through one single app, which also integrates the services of its renowned mobility partners. SIXT has a presence in around 110 countries around the globe. The company is characterized by consistent customer orientation and excellent customer experience, a living culture of innovation with strong technological expertise, the high share of premium vehicles in its fleet and an attractive price-performance ratio. The Sixt Group doubled its revenue since 2009 and generated revenues of EUR 3.31 billion in 2019 and is ranked as one of the most profitable mobility companies in the world. In 2020, SIXT generated consolidated revenues of EUR 1.53 billion despite travel and outbound restrictions due to the COVID 19 pandemic and reported a positive consolidated net income of EUR 2 million after cost savings of approximately EUR 600 million among others. Sixt SE is the parent company of the Group and has been listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange since 1986 (ISIN ordinary share: DE0007231326, ISIN preference share: DE0007231334).
https://about.sixt.com

Press contact:
Sixt SE
Kathrin Greven
Sixt Central Press Office
Tel.: +49 – (0)89 – 74444 6700
E-mail: pressrelations@sixt.com

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