Coca-Cola partners Unilever to aid less-privileged and under-developed communities
Leading beverage corporation, Coca-Cola, has partnered with FMCG giant, Unilever to promote proper hand washing in communities across the Philippines, with the goal of strengthening the country’s collective campaign to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Beverage Philippines, Gareth McGeown, said: “Supporting local communities has always been an integral part of our operations. We are committed to the efforts to protect communities from COVID-19, particularly through creating safer and healthier spaces for Filipinos. We are proud to have found a partner in Unilever who share the same goal.”
Both Companies will be installing 37 hand washing stations across the Philippines, specifically in high-traffic locations such as public markets and terminals; half of the total funding was drawn from proceeds from the 2019 Coca-Cola Charity Golf Classic, where Coca-Cola had raised over Php 3 million from sponsor pledges.
Unilever will be providing Lifebuoy soap for one year and will help develop information and education campaigns to promote proper hygiene through hand washing—which remains one of the simplest and most effective lines of defense against the coronavirus.
Earlier, Coca-Cola announced plans to step up spending with Black-owned enterprises across its supply chain by at least $500 million over the next five years. More than 40% of Black-owned businesses had shuttered due to COVID-19 , and while government relief programs have helped some owners, many still need support and are at risk of closing permanently.
The pledge, according to Coca-Cola, is more than double of its current spend with Black-owned businesses. Through the funding, the Company will provide Black entrepreneurs and innovators with opportunities for growth and economic empowerment. “This commitment goes beyond our previously stated goal of $1 Billion,” Coca-Cola stated.
Speaking on the initiative, Terrez Thompson, VP, Global Supplier Diversity, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “Enabling a spirit of resilience is part of the Coca-Cola DNA. The events of 2020 have motivated us to expand exponentially the work we do. We know we can be part of the solution by accelerating our investment in Black-owned businesses and doing our part to push their pivot to the tipping point. We want them to not only survive, but to thrive, because a healthy entrepreneurial spirit is critical to the health of economies and communities.”
Coca-Cola and Unilever continue to reiterate their commitment to providing support for under developed communities and consumers all over the world.
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