BY STAFF REPORTER
The philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola Foundation, yesterday pledged $1 million relief assistance to communities impacted by Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
The money will be channelled through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Save the Children to provide immediate resources for emergency food and shelter for survivors across the three countries, including thousands displaced from their homes.
“The United Nations predicts this may be one of the worst weather-related disasters to hit the Southern Hemisphere,” said Helen Smith Price, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We are concerned about the communities impacted by Cyclone Idai, and we are using our resources to support immediate relief and recovery efforts.”
Additionally, the company and its local bottling partners — Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (Mozambique), Mutare Bottling Company, Schweppes Zimbabwe and Castel Malawi Limited, have made in-kind donations which include bottles of water, logistics support and in-kind donations from employees in the region.
Beyond these contributions, the company plans to use its Coke Studio Africa asset to create more awareness of the disaster and raise more funds for the victims.
