Coca-Cola Donates $2.5M to Philippines Typhoon Relief Efforts

ATLANTAThe Coca Cola Company has donated more than $2.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in the Philippines following the devastations from Typhoon Haiyan.

 We would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by this tragic disaster in the Philippines," said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. Our dedicated associates are on the ground offering assistance, and we are committed to helping the communities rebuild."

Coca-Cola Philippines and bottling partner, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, through The Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, began donating water for relief efforts immediately after the storm to the Philippine Red Cross, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

We wish to express our heartfelt solidarity to all Filipinos in these difficult times," said Carlos Salazar Lomelín, chief executive officer of Coca-Cola FEMSA, the bottling company of the country. It is in times like these when the Philippines sets an example of resilience and good spirit, and where our values of supporting ourselves as a team come at its best."

Coca-Cola Philippines is providing $1 million for additional relief initiatives, community rehabilitation, and to assist small, independent customers with reconstruction. The Coca-Cola Foundation in Atlanta has contributed $1 million to the American National Red Cross for humanitarian aid to the Philippines. By the end of this week, the Coca-Cola system will have donated 129,000 cases of water to the affected communities, representing an in-kind contribution valued at $590,000.

"From Day 1, we have mobilized our system to provide water and resources to the survivors of the super typhoon. Immediately after the disaster, we worked with our partners, the Philippine Red Cross, the DSWD, and the AFP to be able to provide water to the affected areas," said Guillermo Aponte, president and general manager of Coca-Cola Philippines. Our business is deeply rooted in these communities, therefore we will provide assistance during this time of need."