Coca-Cola Pledges Rs. 10 Million for Flood Relief Support

Lahore, September 5, 2013: Owning up to its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen, Coca-Cola Pakistan has once again come forward to help the flood affected across Pakistan. Coca-Cola has pledged Rs. 10 million and partnered with reputable NGO’s such SAHARA, JSCD and Rotary Foundation to provide assistance to those who have been hit by this devastating disaster.

Coca-Cola Pakistan along with its partner organizations will provide relief goods to more than 2000 families (14,000 individuals), affected by the floods. The relief goods constitute of dry and staple food items, such as rice, lentils and oils which will be distributed in the flood affected areas of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. By certain estimates, monsoon rains have so far affected over 1.2 million people, nearly 60,000 homes have been destroyed and over 1 million + acres of crops have been severely impacted.

Speaking about the program, Rizwan U. Khan, General Manager, Coca-Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan, stated, “During this time of crisis and hardship, we feel that there should be no limit to the support we offer to those in grief. Coca-Cola Pakistan’s response to the floods is a token of our commitment to communities not only as a business, but as citizens devoted to helping the communities we serve”.

“This year’s flood has virtually paralyzed life in the flood affected areas. SAHARA, believes that sound partnerships with socially responsible organization is a pertinent step towards a well-coordinated rehabilitation strategy with immediate and focused actions towards strengthening flood emergency relief structures” stated, Mr Abrar-ul-Haq, Chairman, Sahara For Life Trust.

Since 2010, Coca-Cola Pakistan has been at the forefront of providing emergency relief to the flood affectees. The company alone has donated over Rs. 25 million for flood affected areas across Pakistan, providing immediate relief to over 20,000 people and initiating long-term rehabilitation projects focusing on education and self-employment.