DIGGER-GIANT JCB has pledged more than £135,000 worth of equipment to help in the reconstruction programme after devastating floods hit Pakistan — killing more than 1,600 people.
The Rocester-based company’s chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, has pledged assistance as the country continues to suffer the effects of the floods which have affected around 17 million of the country’s 166 million people.
Around six million people have also been left homeless as reports from the country reveal that water levels are finally beginning to recede.
Sir Anthony will be donating two high specification 4CX backhoe loaders with attachments to Pakistan where rebuilding costs are expected to be in the region of £10 billion.
He said: “Britain has been leading the way with the level of its donations to Pakistan and as a British manufacturer I am keen for us to help in any way possible and hope that JCB’s donation of machines can assist in some small way.” This is not the first time that JCB has helped Pakistan after it has been hit by a natural disaster.
In 2005 an earthquake hit the country leaving a trail of devastation in its wake and JCB donated excavators to help in the clear up operation.
The international renowned company also helped in the disaster relief efforts in Haiti by donating more than £92,000 worth of equipment.
The country was hit by an earthquake, which measured 7.0 on the Richter Scale, earlier this year which killed around 220,000 people and left the Caribbean island in desperate need of assistance.
This was followed by assistance in the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake where JCB donated a 3C backhoe loader complete with attachments and spare parts.
This helped the country’s second city Concepcion which was hit by an 8.8 magnitude quake which killed more than 700 people.
Other donations have been made to Sichuan Province in China in 2008 and in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004.
