January 17, New York -- Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation have responded to the unprecedented catastrophe and devastation in Southeast Asia with a multifaceted campaign to bring assistance to the people of the affected areas. As a global company, Avon does business in the affected areas of Southeast Asia, and as of early January, approximately a dozen Sales Representatives or dealers were confirmed dead and hundreds were missing, as well as untold numbers of customers and members of the Avon "family."

In response to this tragedy, the Avon Foundation has announced have the following:

• Cash donation: In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, the U.S.-based Avon Foundation made an initial $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross International/Red Crescent, and then announced an additional cash contribution of $500,000 to the relief and rebuilding efforts in the region, with a focus on assisting women and children. In addition, the Avon Foundation Matching Gifts program is matching all US associate contributions to non-profit organizations assisting in the relief effort (up to $7,500 per employee).
• Fundraising product: Avon Products, Inc. has quickly created the Avon Heart of Asia Pin, to launch with a special promotion in mid-January in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Japan, with the possibility of other countries joining the program as well. The pin will be available through Avon Sales Representatives and at www.avon.com. Avon will donate 100% of the profits ($3.00 of each pin) to the Avon Foundation to support relief and rebuilding efforts. Two similar emergency relief fundraising programs (in 2001 and 2003) raised a total of more than $10 million in the U.S., and Avon hopes this new initiative will mobilize its generous Sales Representatives and customers to raise substantial funds for tsunami relief.
• Facilitating public donations: To raise funds for the children and mothers who have been affected by the tragedy, the Avon Foundation has created a direct link from www.avonfoundation.org to the UNICEF donation site. UNICEF is the world’s leading children’s organization and is now delivering relief and long-term assistance to all affected countries and is supporting governments throughout the region to assess and address the special needs of children and their mothers.

"The tragedy in Southeast Asia is the largest natural disaster in our lifetime," stated Andrea Jung, Chairman and Chief Executive Office, Avon Products, Inc. “It is the responsibility of companies such as Avon and the Avon Foundation to apply our resources to aid those in need.”

In 2005 the U.S. Avon Foundation celebrates the 50th anniversary of its commitment to improving the lives of women and their families, and response to global emergencies such as the tragedy in Southeast Asia is a core part of this mission. Similarly, the principles upon which Avon Products was founded in 1886 includes a commitment to corporate citizenship, and Avon remains dedicated to bringing this vision to life and mobilizing its resources to “contribute to the well-being of society.”

Details on the Avon Foundation programs can be found at www.avonfoundation.org.