Wal-Mart commits initial $1 million in relief to Chile

Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, pledged an initial $1 million on Saturday for the earthquake relief effort in Chile.

"With the impact of this earthquake on our own communities, customers, associates and suppliers, we wanted to reach out with assistance as soon as possible," Eduardo Solorzano, who heads Wal-Mart Latin America, said in a statement.

The company said it has 34,000 employees at its D&S food stores in Chile. It bought the chain in January 2009. Wal-Mart gave no update on the quake's effects on its stores.

Chile was struck by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded Saturday. The magnitude-8.8 quake has killed nearly 150 people and caused widespread damage, according to authorities.