We feel fortunate to be able to help those in dire need, from providing bottled water to using our delivery vehicles for aid distribution and associate volunteerism.
Our system is in a unique position to provide assistance during and after natural disasters. Our large distribution network allows us to deliver necessities quickly and to reach communities not easily accessible.
The Coca-Cola system's response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti was immediate. The Company donated $2 million to the Red Cross, and more than 1 million liters of water and other Coca-Cola beverages traveled by land, air and sea to reach those in urgent need. Learn more about this and other ways we are committed to the health and vitality of the Haitian people and their economy.
In 2009, The Coca-Cola Export Corporation (TCCEC) Pakistan supported the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of northern areas of Pakistan. An estimated 3 million people were forced to leave their homes due to security issues. TCCEC donated Rs.8.1 million to National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), which actively worked on building temporary homes, medical camps, makeshift schools & setting up trauma counseling centers. TCCEC also donated Rs. 5.0 million to Chief Minister Punjab's fund for IDPs.
A clean drinking water project was also launched in a local school of Haripur area, directly benefiting 3,000 students and their families.
In China, Coca-Cola donated and pledged $2.8 million in cash and in-kind donations to the victims of the devastating 2008 earthquake in Sichuan. In the early hours following the earthquake, our operations started providing aid relief, such as clean drinking water and financial support, to the victims and rescue workers. During the three days of national mourning, we stopped all advertisement in China, including television commercials.
Disaster preparedness can be just as important as disaster relief. In Thailand, we have a partnership with the Thai Red Cross Society that involves an intensive training program on first aid and disaster-relief basics, conducted by the Red Cross. Approximately 500 Coca-Cola system associates across the country have participated and are prepared for a decentralized rapid-response deployment in emergencies.
Even though we do not have any business operations in Myanmar, the Coca-Cola system actively supported the disaster relief efforts following Cyclone Nargis which occurred in May 2008. By working with the Thai humanitarian and government organizations, our system provided 240,000 bottles of 600-mL Namthip bottled water to the victims of the cyclone.
And, villages in Aceh, Indonesia, are still suffering from the effects of the 2004 tsunami. With partners, we helped enable long-term provision of a water supply and public sanitation to some of the still-affected areas. This program is helping an estimated 7,000 villagers by providing water and promoting long-term hygiene and sanitation awareness. Learn more about our post-tsunami partnership with UN Foundation.
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