19th December, 2003
COCA-COLA AFRICA FOUNDATION DONATES US$200,000 OF FOOD AID TO ZIMBABWE
COCA-COLA AFRICA FOUNDATION DONATES US$200,000 OF FOOD AID TO ZIMBABWE
Bulawayo,
December
19, 2003 -
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) today announced that it is donating US$200,000 of food aid to needy communities in Harare and Bulawayo.
In effect today through the end of February 2004, the food aid will be distributed by World Vision Zimbabwe to benefit over 12,000 people each month.
A total of 485 metric tonnes (MT) of maize meal, 432 MT of beans and 30 MT of cooking oil has been donated by Coca-Cola for distribution by the non-governmental organisation.
Each ration consists of 12.4 kg of maize meal, 0.8 kg of dry beans and 0.8 kg of cooking oil, providing a diet of 1,783 kilocalories per person per day. World Vision Zimbabwe recommends a minimum daily intake of 1,734 calories per person per day.
World Vision Zimbabwe has established three distribution points in Harare and a further seven in Bulawayo for the disbursement of the food packs. Through these, 6,255 people in Bulawayo will receive assistance, while another 6,000 individuals have been identified in Harare.
"At this time of need in southern Africa, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with World Vision Zimbabwe to support the Zimbabwean people," said Sheree Shereni, Coca-Cola Africa's Regional Public Affairs Manager. "We hope that our donation will help some of those in need during the festive season and provide support in the first part of next year."
She continued, "this partnership is the latest example of our community work in Zimbabwe, where we are collaborating with a number of local government and civil society organisations on a range of issues, in particular HIV / AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment."
Commending Coca-Cola's donation, World Vision Zimbabwe Acting National Director Mr Sipho Dube said: "I would like to applaud Coca-Cola for their generous donation and to challenge the corporate world to emulate what Coca-Cola has done today - because the need is increasing daily. Indeed, this donation is a timely Christmas present to the beneficiaries, as people in both urban centres and rural areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable."
Notes to editors
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF), established in February 2001 and headquartered in Swaziland, manages and funds Coca-Cola's community initiatives in Africa. In October 2003, The Foundation was recognised by YouthAIDS for its leadership in communicating HIV/AIDS awareness to young people. The Foundation is committing US$30 million for community work in Africa over the next few years, focusing on healthcare, education and the environment. For more information on our work on HIV/AIDS in Africa: www.aidsprogramsinafrica.coca-cola.com.
For more information on our community work in Africa: www.africa.coca-cola.com.
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