COCA-COLA DONATES US$50K TOWARDS WATER, SANITATION

COCA-COLA Foundation has donated US$50 000 to DanChurchAid Zimbabwe to implement a water and sanitation project to provide clean and safe water to selected high-density suburbs in Bulawayo.

This initiative by the philanthropic arm of the Coca-Cola Company is meant to mitigate surging Covid-19 cases.

Bulawayo, among other cities, has perennial water shortages and outbreaks of diarrhoea and other water borne diseases.

The funding will be used to conduct site surveys, drill six boreholes and equip the solar driven water kiosks.

“The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners Schweppes and Delta are proud to be responding to this water crisis that will enable more than 25,000 people to access much needed safe and clean water daily.

“Lack of access to safe water and sanitation services have direct health implications. Globally, many children die from diarrhoea every year. Most of these deaths can be prevented through access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene,” said Coca-Cola Zimbabwe Country Manager Milidzani Ncube.

The six month-long project, which is scheduled for completion by June 2021, will be the second within a year after Schweppes Zimbabwe, a manufacturer and distributor of non-carbonated still beverages under licence from The CocaCola Company in partnership with DanChurchAid Zimbabwe provided 2,181 families with clean water in Bulawayo as part of their Covid-19 humanitarian support.

In his appreciation speech, DanChurchAid Country Director, Mads Schack Lindegard lauded the Coca-Cola Foundation for bringing the project to where it is needed the most.

He noted the impact of water projects in such communities.

“With partners like the CocaCola Foundation, we are changing lives and supporting sustainable community initiatives.

“This water and sanitation project for the urban poor in Bulawayo is focused on addressing the problem of inadequate water and poor sanitation in low-income urban communities to contribute towards a lasting solution.

“Through partnerships with service providers including water utilities, local authorities like Bulawayo City Council and the communities these efforts will strengthen the capacity of service providers to deliver sustainable city-wide water and sanitation services, promote good hygiene and raise the standards of living.”