Partners against disasters
Coca‑Cola joins the Red Cross in a three year partnership
With disasters such as floods threatening the very existence of communities around the globe, Coca‑Cola and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Crescent (IFRC) are teaming up in a Global Partnership to marry the best of both organisations' expertise to help save lives when tragedy strikes.
The initiative formalises a long history of cooperation between our organisations, beginning in World War I when Coca‑Cola supported Red Cross fund-raising campaigns. We frequently help with logistics, materials and money in emergencies, and most recently donated $2.25m to Red Cross and Red Crescent relief work after the earthquakes in Haiti and Pakistan.
Did you know? Since 2000 Coca‑Cola has contributed nearly $40m to organisations involved in disaster relief
Our combined years of experience will help improve the speed and effectiveness of disaster response, and help local communities prepare for what to do if catastrophe hits.
The Red Cross facts
• The IFRC gives assistance to around 30m people in disaster-hit areas annually
• The IFRC represents 186 National Societies, with around 100m members
• Coca‑Cola, together with our bottling partners, already work with the IFRC in more than 50 countries
• Over three years Coca‑Cola will contribute $2m to support the Global Partnership, and a further $1m will be donated to the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund
A key strength of our partnership is our combined global reach and experience, together with local knowledge and expertise on the ground. It will harness Coca‑Cola's marketing skills and logistical abilities to help ensure the most efficient reply to global emergencies.
Bekele Geleta, secretary general, IFRC, says: "Our partnership with The Coca‑Cola Company has the potential to become one of the world's leading business and civil society collaborations. It will enable us to extend our reach even farther in communities worldwide so we can be of greater service to vulnerable people. In this era of increasing natural disasters, imagine the magnitude of what we can accomplish together in disaster response and preparedness."
