Disaster relief and recovery

As part of Coca-Cola Hellenic's ongoing commitment, the company supports efforts to understand and prevent disasters, to provide immediate relief when they do strike and to offer long term support in order to help communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of disasters.

Emergency relief plans are in place, enabling resources to be quickly mobilised and swiftly delivered to those most in need. The company works together with relief agencies at the local level and, if necessary, with international organisations such as the Red Cross and other group members, in efforts to prevent potential calamities.

In the aftermath of tragedies we continue our support to assist in rehabilitation efforts for the victims and the environment, not only through funding but also through volunteer work.

During 2010, seven of our central and eastern European territories experienced severe floods. More than 300,000 litres of safe drinking water was delivered through the local authorities, Red Cross and others.

Italy’s Earthquake Striken Abruzzo Celebrates Inauguration of New Student Centre

More than two and a half years following the devastating 2009 earthquake that struck the Italian region of Abruzzo, the city of Aquila celebrates the inauguration of a new multipurpose student centre. Construction began after the earthquake thanks to a €400,000 donation from the Coca-Cola System (The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic) and the Italian non-profit Cittadinanzattiva. A library, canteen and internet spot are but some of the features of this new student centre.

Fausto Rubini, Director of Coca-Cola Hellenic Italy’s production plant in Oricola in the Aquila province stated that “It is an honour for all of us at Coca-Cola to attend the inauguration of this incredible structure dedicated to the young people of the area. In the trying days after the earthquake our factory was used as a logistics centre for the distribution of emergency goods for the Italian Red Cross and the National Civil Protection Authority where a number of our employees volunteered their help. It is days like these that show how determination, commitment and responsibility can lead to great results.” Read more

Austria joins forces with Red Cross to raise Haiti funds

To kick off a long-term partnership between Coca-Cola Hellenic in Austria and the Austrian Red Cross, the company’s employees raised funds for the earthquake victims in Haiti, which was then doubled by Coca-Cola Hellenic HBC Austria management. The company is also financing the training of disaster relief workers at aid organisations so that they can provide even faster first aid and assistance.

Supporting environmental protection and nature preservation, encouraging people to engage in sports and physical activity, and helping people in need are essential pillars of Coca-Cola Hellenic HBC Austria’s social commitment.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Red Cross deliver water to flood victims

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bosnia, Herzegovina worked with partner, the Red Cross BiH

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bosnia and Herzegovina worked with its partner, the Red Cross BiH, to help with disaster relief efforts following heavy floods in the Sava river region (Posavina), Central Bosnia and Eastern Herzegovina. In some parts of the country, whole towns were surrounded by water and were cut off from main roads and water supplies. According to Red Cross data, more than 2,000 households were affected and some people had to be evacuated from their homes.

Transporting 9,000 litres of Olimpija water, Coca-Cola Hellenic BiH vehicles visited the areas most in need. Employees from all of the depots (Sarajevo, Tuzla, Mostar, Bihac and Banja Luka) were involved in the distribution of water to Municipal Red Cross Offices, and, in some areas, delivery to households.

Serbia helps with flood relief

Coca–Cola Hellenic in Montenegro reacted quickly when one of the most devastating floods in 50 years hit the Bojana River and areas around Skadarsko Lake. More than 6,000 litres of products were sent to each of the flooded municipalities, Ulcinj and Podgorica. Crisis Management Centres distributed goods to the households most in need.

During March 2010, the company also helped the flooded areas of Eastern and Central Serbia by distributing 9,000 litres of water. Due to an increase in the water levels of the Timok and Moravica Rivers, additional measures were taken in the most endangered areas of Zajecar, Aleksinac and Kostolac.

Aid rushed in for Russian fire victims

In 2010, Russia was subjected to the hottest summer ever recorded and raging wildfires, which have brought about widespread death and destruction. More than 50 people died and vast numbers of people lost their homes and possessions. As the catastrophe unfolded, Coca-Cola Hellenic Russia’s bottling operations, including Multon, activated their emergency relief plans and contacted government departments, local authorities, and rescue groups to determine who was most in need.

Designated co-ordinators arranged assistance for the people who were fighting the fires, as well as the victims. More than 25,000 litres of water and soft drinks were donated to firemen and rescued people while employees across Russia joined forces to donate clothing and other essentials.

Emergency relief for thousands of flood victims in Eastern Europe

czech republic floods_2010

In summer 2010, floods devastated hundreds of communities in Eastern Europe, Coca-Cola Hellenic teams in each of the disaster areas responded swiftly to provide support and relief to the victims by working closely with rescue organisations, local authorities, crisis centres and charitable organisations, as well as national Red Cross representatives.

Coca-Cola HBC Poland mobilised teams to directly communicate with rescue and charitable organisations, and distributed Kropla Beskidu water each time calls for help were received. When floods struck several cities in West Poland, a further 20 pallets of water were sent to help rescue workers and displaced citizens.
Alerted by Red Cross assessments about requirements in the area, Coca-Cola Hellenic in Croatia rapidly arranged truckloads of water to be despatched and delivered a total of about 40,000 litres.
Coca-Cola Hellenic in Ukraine immediately dispatched 60,000 litres of water in the first week of the deluge, and followed this with additional supplies when requested with the support of The Red Cross being responsible for guiding shipments of drinking water in Ukraine.
In Hungary, local Disaster Relief committees, set up by the government, called upon Coca-Cola Hellenic Hungary as heavy floods swept across the north-eastern parts of the country. By maintaining continuous contact with the organisations, and the local Red Cross, the company arranged the timely delivery of 36,000 litres of mineral water throughout the month of June. In January, the Sava River broke its banks. At that time, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bosnia and Herzegovina transported 11,360 litres of Olimpija water to those in need. A total of 2,360 litres of water were distributed.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Czech Republic and Slovakia organized the transportation of 70,000 litres of Bonaqua for distribution at crisis centres. When floods returned to the Czech Republic in August, they targeted Northern Bohemia.