FedEx Corp. has committed approximately US$1 million in cash, transportation support and a chartered flight to deliver critical medical aid and supplies to Nepal in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake. The Memphis-based global transportation and logistics company is mobilising its disaster relief programme through its existing relationships with Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, Water Missions International, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
“FedEx shares in the huge sorrow and sympathy being expressed from all corners of the globe for the victims of this tragic earthquake,” said Karen Reddington, president, FedEx Express, Asia Pacific. “As a global express logistics provider, we’re in a great position to help in the relief effort by leveraging our network and our relationships with a number of important NGOs which are already working to help Nepal cope with the quake and its aftermath.”
Through the company’s monetary and transportation contribution, FedEx will transport life-saving medical supplies and medicines, shelter, and water treatment systems to Nepal. Specific contributions include:
– Transporting on behalf of Direct Relief large volumes of IV solutions, medicines, surgical supplies, and other medical essentials requested and approved by Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population.
– Sponsoring Heart to Heart International’s mobile medical clinic, which contains tents, vital medicines, medical supplies, portable medical equipment, communication equipment, non-perishable food and water purification systems.
– Transporting 12 large Living Water Treatment Systems, 31 potable water chlorinators and 12 large water tanks on behalf of Water Missions International. Combined, these systems will provide fresh water for up to 370,000 people per day.
– Providing a US$250,000 cash donation to the American Red Cross, which works directly with the Nepal Red Cross Society.
– Presenting The Salvation Army with a US$50,000 cash donation.
“In response to 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. “The extraordinary step FedEx has taken in making this aircraft and its amazing team available is a powerful force-multiplier to the humanitarian effort underway.”
