Nepal earthquake: JCB donates $1m-worth of diggers to relief effort
As the tragic details of the disaster in Nepal keep unfolding, individuals, charities and even corporates are donating time and money to help the relief effort.
Today plant machinery manufacturer JCB has donated $1m (£646,000)-worth of diggers and electrical power generators to help those dealing with the aftermath of Saturday's earthquake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter Scale.
Ten backhoe loaders are already at work in the areas worst hit by the disaster. Current estimates put the death toll at 5,000 while as many as 10,000 are believed to be injured.
JCB chairman Lord Bamford said: “It is shocking to see the devastation caused by this earthquake and the resulting widespread damage and destruction. On behalf of JCB, I express my heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by this natural disaster.
“JCB will continue to help the Nepalese government in every possible way.”
JCB's connection to the country is through its dealer, MAW Enterprises, which has helped to get the backhoes out to the Nepalese Army. The electrical power generators are also en route from JCB India’s factory in Delhi.
In the coming weeks and months, the donated machines will be used in reconstruction efforts.
This is not the first time JCB has helped countries affected by natural disasters. It previously gave machines and generators to the Philippines following 2013's Typhoon Haiyan, to Sri Lanka and Indonesia following the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 and Haiti and China, which suffered earthquakes in 2010 and 2008 respectively.