The Coca-Cola Foundation Donates USD50,000 to Improve Water and Sanitation in Bulawayo

The support will provide access to clean and safe water for over 25,000 people in Bulawayo and contribute to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic

February 3, 2021, Harare: The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca- Cola Company, has awarded US$50,000 to DanChurchAid Zimbabwe to implement a much-needed water and sanitation project to provide clean and safe water to the urban poor in selected high-density suburbs of Bulawayo, in order to mitigate rising COVID-19 cases.

Bulawayo has perennial water shortages and outbreaks of diarrhea are common in the community as a result of using contaminated and unclean water.

“The funding will be used to conduct site surveys, drill six boreholes and equip the solar-driven water kiosks that will provide water to over 2100 families in Bulawayo, said Milidzani Ncube, Coca-Cola Country Manager, Zimbabwe during the cheque handover ceremony at DanChurchAid offices in Harare.

“The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners Schweppes and Delta are proud to be responding to this water crisis that will enable more than 25,000 people to access much needed safe and clean water daily. Lack of access to safe water and sanitation services has direct health implications. Globally, many children die from diarrhea every year. Most of these deaths can be prevented through access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene,” added Ncube.

The six-month-long project which is scheduled for completion by June 2021 will be the second within a year after Schweppes Zimbabwe, a manufacturer and distributor of non-carbonated still beverages under licence from The Coca-Cola Company in partnership with DanChurchAid Zimbabwe provided 2,181 families with clean water in Bulawayo as part of their COVID-19 humanitarian support.

In appreciation of the funding, DanChurchAid Country Director, Mads Schack Lindegard lauded The Coca-Cola Foundation for bringing the project to where it is needed the most. He noted the impact of water projects in such communities and emphasized: “With partners like The Coca-Cola Foundation, we are changing lives and supporting sustainable community initiatives.”

This water and sanitation project for the urban poor in Bulawayo is focused on addressing the problem of inadequate water and poor sanitation in low-income urban communities to contribute towards a lasting solution. Through partnerships with service providers including water utilities, local authorities like Bulawayo City Council and the communities these efforts will strengthen the capacity of service providers to deliver sustainable city-wide water and sanitation services, promote good hygiene and raise the standards of living.

---

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca- Cola Foundation, please visit https://www.coca-colacompany.com/shared- future/communities/the-coca-cola-foundation

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as Ads soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, SmartWater, Sprite, Vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About The DanChurchAid

DanChurchAid (DCA) is a Danish faith-based civil society organization founded in 1922 by representatives of the Danish Evangelical Church- a key DanChurchAid constituency.

DanChurchAid is supported by volunteers, supporters, and staff working hard to save lives in many countries.

DanChurchAid supports the needy and poorest of the world in their struggle for a dignified and better life and helps those who are vulnerable and whose lives are threatened by different socio-economic factors.