Apple has once again leveraged iTunes and the App Store to collect donations from customers on behalf of the American Red Cross. On this occasion, the donations are being directed towards earthquake relief efforts for those affected by the recent earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador. As has been Apple's practice in the past, 100 percent of the donations made through the iTunes Store and the App Store are passed on to the Red Cross. Customers who click on on the related banner can make donations in $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or $200 amounts.
Japan was affected by two quakes, the first hitting in the country's southwest on April 14, measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, while the second struck on April 16 with a magnitude of 7.0. The Kumamoto and Ōita prefectures suffered the most damaging effects, with 48 people confirmed dead while thousands more suffered injuries. Major infrastructure was also severely damaged, with many roads and bridges collapsing.
The earthquake that hit Ecuador was even more powerful, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale when it hit on April 16. Its epicentre was 110 miles from the city of Quito with at least 500 confirmed dead. As with the Japanese quakes, thousands more were also injured while critical infrastructure was also damaged.
Apple advises that store credit cannot be used for the donations, while it cannot guarantee that donations made through the iTunes Store and App Store are tax deductible.
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