The Coca-Cola Company today announced it is donating US$ 500,000 for Middle East humanitarian relief.
The money has been directed to the International Federation of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross Societies (IFRC). The IFRC will be using this financial support as part of their emergency appeal to assist vulnerable communities and to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the recent conflict in the Middle East.
Mr. Muhtar Kent, President, Coca-Cola International, says the donation to IFRC is based on the organization’s impeccable credibility and expertise in almost 190 countries around the world as an impartial humanitarian organization with an outstanding record of operations in disaster prevention, preparedness and relief.
“We are confident that the International Federation will utilize the resources in the most appropriate manner in co-ordination with its Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in the region to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable communities” he says.
Elaborating on the motive behind the donation, Mr. Kent adds:
“Every day, people invite us into their lives. It's our actions - the way we treat our people, produce our beverages, protect the environment, and benefit communities – that determine whether we will be invited again. We strive to listen and respond to the needs of our people, and this donation is an example of our actions. The private sector has a significant role to play in contributing to community development, especially at times like these.”
The efforts of the International Federation are concentrated on supporting the needs of people who have been evacuated during the hostilities and are returning to their communities.
“Through generous donations like this people affected by the hostilities in Lebanon and the surrounding countries can be effectively assisted,” says Malika Ait-Mohamed-Parent, head of the IFRC’s Middle East and North Africa department.
“Through the enormous resource of branch volunteers and participating National Societies in the Red Crescent and Red Cross movement we have the ability to efficiently meet the humanitarian needs of those people,” she says.
In addition, she says the delivery of relief, before, during and after the conflict enables the International Federation to help strengthen the capacities of its National Societies for the long term.
The Coca-Cola Company has a long lasting tradition of contributing to humanitarian relief efforts. In 2005, the Company and its bottlers donated more than $15 million to the International Federation of the Red Crescent and Red Cross and other agencies for disaster relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts around the world, including the areas affected by the tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Pakistan. In those situations, hundreds of thousands of cases of water and other beverages were donated for victims and relief workers, and employees volunteered to support relief efforts on the ground. The Company has also been involved in post disaster reconstruction through community water and sanitation projects in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Note to Editor:
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's best-known brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola Light, Fanta and Sprite. As well as marketing a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day.
For more information please contact: Kadri Ozen, The Coca Cola Company Eurasia & Middle East Division, Istanbul +90-533-273-4750
