Glencore, Coca-Cola, Nestlé lead latest scramble to give money, goods to Yolanda-hit communities

Nearly two weeks after Typhoon Yolanda tore through Central Visayas, more companies are scrambling to provide aid to communities that were badly hit by the strongest cyclone to make landfall in recorded history.

 

In an e-mailed statement, Swiss miner Glencore said it is donating $2 million for the relief effort  through the PASAR Foundation in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

 

PASAR Foundation is affiliated with Glencore’s Philippine partner Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR).

 

"We have a long standing relationship with the Philippines and its people and hope that this donation will help all those involved with the relief effort in assisting local communities to recover from this catastrophic event," CEO Ivan Glasenberg was quoted as saying.

 

In a separate statement, Coca Cola Philippines and Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines have decided to put on hold all commercial advertising for all Coca-Cola brands starting November 18 – until further notice – to extend aid to typhoon-stricken areas.

 

"Any committed advertising space will be redirected to the relief and rebuilding efforts for the people in Visayas," Coca-Cola Philippines vice president for public affairs and communications Adel Tamano said.

 

Tamano added the group is also working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Red Cross to  continuously provide drinking water and other beverages to the communities affected.

 

Last Friday, the Coca-Cola Group said it was donating more than $2.5 million in cash and in kind – broken down into $1 million from Coca-Cola Philippines, another $1 million from Coca-Cola Foundation in Atlanta and 129,000 cases of water valued at $590,000 through Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines – to assist in relief initiatives, community rehabilitation and reconstruction.

 

Meanwhile, Nestlé Philippines said more than 300,000 ready-to-eat and ready-to-drink products were given to victims of Yolanda in Central Philippines while 540,000 bottles of water are still to be delivered to badly hit areas.

 

"We are working very closely with the Philippine National Red Cross, government agencies and other organizations who have the capability and infrastructure to immediately deliver relief goods to the victims of this tragic calamity," the statement read.

 

Nestlé Philippines and Nestlé companies across the globe have set up a bank account for donation from employees and retirees who wish to donate to the relief effort, wherein all donations received from employees will be matched by the Nestlé Group. – Danessa Rivera/VS, GMA News