Coca-Cola in India with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, has partnered with Save the Children to address the food security and shelter needs of affected victims of Cyclone Amphan, through a comprehensive relief assistance programme. The programme was rolled out recently in Kolkata in the presence of Sourav Ganguly, Hemant Goenka, MD, Diamond Beverages Pvt. Ltd, bottling partner of Coca-Cola in West Bengal.
With over 1 lakh households displaced and 6 lakh people evacuated, this initiative will focus on aiding safe and hygienic drinking water, food security, shelter needs and livelihood in East Medinipur, Kolkata, and South 24 Paraganas. Through provision of dry ration, shelter kits, solar lamps, masks and hygiene material, the programme will meet the needs of 4,425 households, benefiting 25,000 plus people in affected communities.
Speaking at the event Ganguly, said, “The devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan has left the people ofWest Bengal in urgent need of relief assistance. Coca-Cola India has always been responsive to humanitarian crises and supported communities in need. On behalf of my home state, I extend my gratitude to Coca-Cola and Save the Children for their collaborative initiative of food security and shelter assistance to flood affected communities in the region.”
Commenting on the initiative, Ishteyaque Amjad, VP, public affairs, communications & sustainability, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, said, “In partnership with Save the Children we are trying to support the communities impacted by Cyclone Amphan and are hopeful that our efforts would provide respite by meeting the immediate needs of the flood victims, as well as provide a foundation and direction for building and improving community resilience.”
The programme involves distribution of food baskets to the migrants, daily wage labourers and construction workers, containing a mixture of dry food ration necessary to provide two whole meals for a family of 5 for 30 days. These baskets are customised to cover the calorific requirements and will include items such as wheat, pulses, cooking oil, salt, sugar, tea, flat rice, sattu, potatoes and onions.
Additionally, Emergency Shelter Kits will also be provided containing tarpaulin sheets, floor mats, cotton blankets and a solar lantern (particularly for the safety of the villagers living in the forested areas along with the women and girls) to ensure the shelter requirements of displaced communities. Additionally, due consideration has been given to meet nutritional, shelter and safety requirements of women and girls, to help them deal better with these challenging times. Not least, Coca-Cola and Save the Children have also acknowledged the Covid-19 compliance guidelines and are committed to following safe and respectful distribution practices.
Adding further, Anindit Roy Chowdhury, director, programmes & policy impact, Save the Children, said, “Save the Children and Coca-Cola India, have joined hands to protect a generation of the most marginalised who have been affected by the double jeopardy of Amphan Cyclone. Save the Children is grateful for the support that Coca-Cola has offered for the children of West Bengal in their time of need. The needs of children are immense and it's only when large organisations such as Coca-Cola step forward to help with these needs, they can be addressed speedily and thoughtfully. Save the Children, along with its partners, will spare no effort to ensure that the support offered by Coca-Cola reaches children, especially those who are the most deprived."