JDB Group and Intel China Ltd will each donate 10 million yuan ($1.6 million) to support 16 nongovernmental organizations providing public services in areas affected by the Lushan earthquake, according to a public service forum launched by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation on March 10, in Chengdu, Sichuan province.

The magnitude-7.0 earthquake on April 20, 2013, caused the deaths of about 200 people and injured more than 11,000.

The fund will be used for 16 public service programs carried out by the NGOs. The programs comprise of eight livelihood projects and eight community service programs, aiming to boost economic development in the quake-stricken areas and improve the living standard of local residents.

“It is difficult for companies to engage in public service projects in a direct and in-depth way. Therefore, we become part of the public service by supporting NGOs,” says Li Chunlin, deputy general manager of the JDB Group.

“These NGOs knows best about the practical situation in the quake-stricken areas and with their vigor and vitality, they are directly serving public interests.”

Bian Chenggang, general manager of Intel Products (Chengdu) Ltd, said Intel has taken promoting community development as key to fulfilling its social responsibility, and the company hopes more enterprises can join hands to promote the development of communities.

“Such a poverty-alleviation model is an innovation in China,” said Liu Wenkui, secretary-general of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation.

“It not only allows NGOs to launch in-depth public service activities and unleash creativity and executive power at the community level, but also helps to promote the development of public service social organizations.”