With funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation, Coca-Cola in India 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 in Kolkata in the presence of Sourav Ganguly and Mr. Hemant Goenka, Managing Director, Diamond Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (DBPL), bottling partner of Coca-Cola in West Bengal. 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. Over 1-lakh households displaced and 6-lakh people evacuated in these districts. Through provision of dry ration, shelter kits, solar lamps, masks and hygiene material, the programme will meet the needs of 4425 households, benefiting 25,000 plus people in affected communities.
Sourav Ganguly extended his 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. Anindit Roy Chowdhury, Director, Programmes & Policy Impact, Save the Children said, Save the Children is grateful for the support that Coca-Cola has offered for the children of West Bengal in their time of need. Mr Ishteyaque Amjad, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia said, in partnership with Save the Children they are trying to support the communities impacted by Cyclone AMPHAN. They are hopeful that their 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.