The Coca-Cola Company announced today that the Coca-Cola system is donating more than US$2.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines following the devastation from Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
“We would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragic disaster in the Philippines,” said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. “Our dedicated associates are on the ground offering assistance, and we are committed to helping the communities rebuild.”
Coca-Cola Philippines and its bottling partner, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, through The Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, began donating water for relief efforts immediately after the storm to the Philippine Red Cross, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We wish to express our heartfelt solidarity to all Filipinos in these difficult times,” said Carlos Salazar Lomelín, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola FEMSA, the bottling company of the country. “It is in times like these when the Philippines sets an example of resilience and good spirit, and where our values of supporting ourselves as a team come at its best.”
Coca-Cola Philippines is providing US$1 million for additional relief initiatives, community rehabilitation, and to assist small independent customers with reconstruction. The Coca-Cola Foundation in Atlanta has contributed US$1 million to the American National Red Cross for humanitarian aid to the Philippines. By the end of this week, the Coca-Cola system will have donated 129,000 cases of water to the affected communities, representing an in-kind contribution valued at $590,000.
“From day one, we have mobilized our system to provide water and resources to the survivors of the super typhoon. Immediately after the disaster, we worked with our partners, the Philippine Red Cross, the DSWD, and the AFP to be able to provide water to the affected areas,” said Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola, Philippines. “Our business is deeply rooted in these communities, therefore we will provide assistance during this time of need.”
“We have a long-standing commitment to extend aid to our affected associates and their families, as well as for our communities locally,” said Juan Ramon Felix, Asia Division Director, Coca-Cola FEMSA, “and with our unique capacity to lend a helping hand to these communities, we will ensure that we will continue to provide support through this difficult time.”
Coca-Cola Philippines has been a long-standing partner of the Red Cross Philippines in its programs for disaster relief, blood donation, and basic life support training.
Globally, The Coca-Cola Company and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also have a partnership to enhance their collaboration on disaster preparedness and response in 50 countries around the world. The Company and its bottling partners have worked with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies regularly since 1917.