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 the COVID19 pandemic.
March 4, 2021, Bulawayo: The Coca-Cola system in Zimbabwe, DanChurch Aid and the City of Bulawayo have today launched the drilling of six boreholes at Emakhandeni worth USD 50,000 funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation. The water and sanitation project that will provide water to over 25,000 people will be also be equipped with solar-powered water kiosks.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, awarded US$50,000 to DanChurchAid Zimbabwe to implement the much-needed water and sanitation project to provide clean and safe water to the urban poor in selected high-density suburbs of Bulawayo, which will also mitigate the rising COVID-19 cases. The Bulawayo City Council identified and availed the locations in the areas with the most need.
Bulawayo has perennial water shortages and outbreaks of diarrhoea are common in the community as a result of using contaminated and unclean water.
“Coca-Cola and its bottling partners Schweppes and Delta are happy to preside over this groundbreaking event as we believe that the project will help to improve the living conditions of the Bulawayo community on the one hand and carry on the well documented traditional friendship between the Coca-Cola System and Bulawayo people on the other,” said Milidzani Ncube, CocaCola Zimbabwe Country Manager. “There is a saying in that, ‘when drinking water, never forget the one who dug the well'. Our connection with the Zimbabwean people has always been good and is here to stay,” Ncube added.
The partners are proud to be responding to this water crisis with the implementation of this project that will enable people to access much needed safe and clean water daily and are collaborating closely to have it completed in record time. Lack of access to safe water and sanitation services has direct health implications. Globally, many children die from diarrhoea every year. Most of these deaths can be prevented through access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene.
The project which is scheduled for completion before 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 CocaCola Foundation and City of Bulawayo, we are changing lives and supporting sustainable community initiatives.” Mayor of Bulawayo, Councilor Solomon Mguni welcomed the project which will assist Bulawayo City Council to the extent that it is likely to lift the water-shedding programme earlier than scheduled owing to the anticipated improved supply throughout the year.
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.
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.
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.
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 socioeconomic factors.
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