Emergency relief

Coca-Cola Hellenic provides relief during Czech floods

At the end of June, northern Moravia and southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic were hit by heavy floods that resulted in 13 fatalities. The company's operations responded immediately by sending out trucks loaded with pallets of BonAqua water to the most severely affected by the floods cities in northern Moravia. So far, approximately 17,000 litres of water and other beverages have been sent out In the aftermath of the floods, Coca-Cola Hellenic continued to provide help to people in towns and villages as they began the cleaning operation. The company is ready to offer further help to affected municipalities when needed.

 

Coca-Cola HBC Italy offers emergency relief to people affected by the disastrous earthquake

The tragic news of the 6.3 Richter earthquake that took place in the early hours of Monday 6 April in the Abruzzo region in Italy captured global attention. Coca-Cola HBC Italy responded immediately to ensure the wellbeing of all the company employees and to co-operate with both the Civil Protection Unit and the Italian Red Cross in order to deliver water and other aid to the evacuated population.

The earthquake shook central Italy at 3:32 a.m. (local time), causing serious damage to the mountainous Abruzzo region (east of Rome). The seismic focus was near the city L'Aquila, about 60km from Coca-Cola Hellenic’s plants at Corfinio and Oricola.

By Tuesday 14 April, the number of fatalities from the earthquake had reached 294, while the estimated number of homeless is 40,000. Low temperatures and rain in the area have made life more difficult for the 25,000 people living in tents.

Coca-Cola HBC Italy has confirmed that no employees are in danger. A technical and environmental survey was run in the company plants in Oricola and Corfinio to guarantee their structural safety. The results of the survey in both locations were positive and after a short closure, production re-commenced. So far, Coca-Cola HBC Italy, in co-operation with the Italian Red Cross and the Civil Protection, has donated 350,000 bottles of Lilia water and 90,000 of Amita juices to the population and emergency teams. In addition to this, Coca-Cola HBC Italy offered to the Civil Protection and the Italian Red Cross warehouse space of 15.000sqm at the Oricola plant to store food and beverages destined to the areas affected. The Civil Protection and Red Cross were pleased to use this as a logistics and distribution center.

Nestlè Italiana, Auricchio, Bolton Services, Bauli and Humana, all members of Centromarca (Italian Association of Brand Companies) have responded to the invitation of Coca-Cola HBC to use the facility in Oricola, by contributing with their products. As a result and with the coolers given by the Technical Service & Equipment of Coca-Cola HBC Italy, kitchens were installed to further assist in this initiative.

In honouring the earthquake victims, the employees of Coca-Cola HBC Italy kept three minutes of silence at all plants, offices and warehouses on 10 April 2009.

Wildfires in Greece

In 2007, Greece experienced its most severe forest fires in recent history. The results were catastrophic, leaving behind human casualties and environmental disaster.

Coca-Cola Hellenic responded in an immediate and human way. We donated 400,000 litres of drinking water and juice to affected people, as well as to the dedicated fire fighters, emergency services and volunteers.

We worked with churches, local mayors and voluntary organisations, using our company vehicles to distribute food, clothing and medicines. Employees volunteered to work with the Red Cross to help set up camps for those who had lost their homes.

In addition, almost 4 million litres of bulk water were provided for the fire services. The Coca-Cola System and its employees also contributed €2 million to the Special Relief Fund of Greece. The company also created a hardship scholarship scheme and made it available to university students from areas severely effected by the disaster. We are committed over the longer term to supporting specific initiatives to revive the environmental and economic lives of the areas and people affected.

Floods in Slovenia and Bulgaria

Parts of Slovenia and Bulgaria experienced flooding in 2007. In the immediate aftermath of such disasters, access to safe drinking water is critical.

Coca-Cola Hellenic supplied almost 600,000 litres of safe drinking water and juices to affected communities, hospitals, schools and relief agencies.

Drought crisis in Romania During 2007, Romania suffered prolonged drought. Coca-Cola Hellenic Romania organised a humanitarian effort, transporting and providing 7,500 litres of water to inhabitants of the villages and regions most severely affected. Bottled water was distributed in schools, where families received packs of water for home consumption.

Back to top