More aid is on the way to help the victims of last week’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal. FedEx Corp. is donating US$1 million in cash and transportation support, as well as a chartered aircraft to deliver critical medical aid and supplies. The express carrier is also mobilizing its disaster relief program through its existing relationships with relief organizations Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, Water Missions International, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
“FedEx is committed to responding to the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx. “Working together with international relief organizations, we are utilizing our global transportation network to assist in this massive recovery effort.”
Specifically, FedEx is transporting IV solutions, medicines, surgical supplies and other medical essentials requested and approved by Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population for Direct Relief. It is sponsoring Heart to Heart International’s mobile medical clinic, which contains tents, vital medicines, medical supplies, portable medical equipment, communication equipment, nonperishable food and water purification systems.
FedEx is transporting 12 large Living Water Treatment Systems for Water Missions International, which will provide clean drinking water for up to 370,000 people each day. Cash donations include $250,000 to the American Red Cross, which works with the Nepal Red Cross Society, and $50,000 to the Salvation Army.
“In response to the enormous human tragedy in Nepal, Direct Relief is working to ensure that more lives are not put at risk by providing emergency medical aid to the country’s Ministry of Health, and to local partners we have worked with for several years,” said Thomas Tighe, president and CEO of Direct Relief.