Nairobi, 3rd June 2020: With the gradual increase of COVID – 19 infections across the country, Nestlé Kenya has stepped in to support the Kenya Red Cross Society and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ efforts to respond to the pandemic. Nestlé Kenya is donating KSh17.99million in cash to bolster sensitization, food relief, water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives by the two organizations.
KSh5,623,500 of the donated amount will be given to 1000 vulnerable households via cash transfer and food rations; while the remaining KSh12, 371, 700 will support the implementation of a WASH project in Samburu county comprising of Solar water pumping system, water storage and distribution network, sanitation and a comprehensive hygiene promotion intervention. The company’s support will complement ongoing efforts by government and other stakeholders in containing the spread of the virus.
“At Nestlé, we care deeply for people and for the communities in which we operate, and we have an essential role to play during the COVID-19 crisis. Our endeavor, through this donation, is to support the most vulnerable people, especially those in higher-risk areas. Nestlé globally partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since the pandemic started, in response to its emergency appeal. Here in Kenya, our support will go towards supporting interventions already identified by the Kenya Red Cross Society,” said Mr. Ngéntu Njeru, Nestlé East Africa’s Managing Director.
Adding, “Through the Kenya Red Cross, we will work with communities on hygiene awareness, to help them adopt healthy behaviors and address fear, stigma and misinformation on COVID – 19 and give them food rations and cash.”
Dr Asha Mohammed, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society said, "frequent and proper hand washing with running water and soap is an essential measure of preventing COVID-19 transmission therefore we must ensure greater access to these facilities. Sadly, these facilities are inaccessible to many vulnerable communities in informal settlements in urban centers and in rural areas."
"We must also continue to cushion households from the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We thank Nestlé for this donation which will contribute greatly towards these critical efforts” she added
Nestlé is one of Kenya’s corporate institutions that have stepped in to support the government and Kenyans in managing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company recently partnered with Kenya Red Cross Society to donate breakfast cereals to the vulnerable families living in Mukuru.
Further, Nestlé Kenya has donated KSh5.88million worth of food stuff to the Covid-19 Emergency Fund, in addition to its employees volunteering to donate towards the support of orphanages within Nairobi.
ENDS
About Nestlé Kenya
Nestlé Kenya Limited is one of the operating companies under Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) Limited. Nestlé Kenya Limited was established in 1967 and the Nairobi factory supplies products to the local market, in addition to exporting to some EAC, COMESA and European markets. Nestlé Kenya Limited has a Head Office, Factory, and Distribution Centre in Pate Road, Industrial Area, Nairobi.