Coca‑Cola scheme brings hope to Haiti
Coca‑Cola supports the development of a sustainable mango juice industry in the wake of the earthquake
When a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, Coca-Cola immediately donated US$1million (£649,000) to help relief efforts. In addition, the company is investing in a longer term initiative to support the ongoing rebuilding and economic growth of Haiti. The Coca-Cola Company has been part of the Haitian community since 1927 and the local bottling partner is the largest private sector employer in the country.
This initiative is the Haiti Hope Project which is designed to create opportunities and improve incomes for 25,000 Haitian mango farmers and their families by supporting the development of a sustainable mango juice industry.
Working together
With the support of the Haitian Government, Coca-Cola, the Inter-America Development Bank (IDB) and the non-profit organisation TechnoServe, are partnering on this five year project, estimated at US$7.5million, sharing technical expertise, research and experience. This collaboration is a pioneering effort to double the incomes of fruit farmers and to raise their standard of living, while contributing to the long term development and revitalisation of Haiti.
Consumers can contribute to this project by purchasing Odwalla Haiti Hope Mango Lime-Aid launched in the United States this month and a similar Odwalla Haiti Hope drink to launch in early summer in Canada. One hundred per cent of the profits from every sale of these drinks will go to the Haiti Hope Project.
Going a step further
The project shows how the business skills of big companies, such as Coca-Cola, can contribute to development goals and help build better societies. It's already got some strong supporters - Bill Clinton, the former US president and currently UN special envoy for Haiti, remarked: "The Coca-Cola Company responded to Haiti's urgent immediate needs with financial support and beverages. The Haiti Hope Project goes a step further and exemplifies the innovative role that partnerships with the private sector can play in the reconstruction of Haiti."
Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive also commented: "Coca-Cola has created the kind of action-oriented initiative that Haiti needs. This partnership will create jobs and new sources of revenue for the people of Haiti."
