Nestlé Pakistan’s 100 million commitment to the COVID-19 crisis is now making major strides. In order to support vulnerable communities, the company has partnered with leading non-governmental organizations working for the cause. These include Akhuwat, Saylani Welfare International Trust, Shahid Afridi Foundation, Salman Sufi Foundation and RIZQ.
Nestlé Pakistan’s products have been donated to government and non-government organizations, to cover all bases. These products include 4 million servings of milk, iron-fortified dairy products, baby cereals, water and juices; they will incorporate the latter in ration bags prepared in response to COVID-19 emergency appeals for deserving people across Pakistan.
Talking about the efforts, Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Pakistan, said, “We will be mobilizing relief to food-delivery organizations serving vulnerable families, in the form of product donations to meet the nutritional needs of both affected individuals and frontline workers during these times”. “We are glad to have partnered with leading non-profit organizations to support the nation in this time of need,” he added.
Nestlé has partnered with reputable NGOs to support vulnerable communities. Read here: https://t.co/uPW6SK26rN @SAFoundationN @Akhuwat @Rizq_Sharefood @OfficialSwit @FoundationSufi @DrAmjadSaqib @SalmanSufi7 #NestléCares pic.twitter.com/h1u9Sx8hvv
— Nestlé Pakistan (@nestlepakistan) May 8, 2020
Comments by the representatives of involved NGOs
Dr Amjad Saqib, CEO Akhuwat also acknowledged Nestlé’s support. “The whole nation is standing together to fight the crisis caused by COVID-19.” Dr Saqib found it an honour that Nestlé Pakistan came forward and contributed its products to the ration bags distributed by Akhuwat. “We thank Nestle for their role in reducing the difficulties of people in this crisis. This is how we build nations.”
Shahid Afridi, Global Chairman Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF), was also present at the occasion. He said, “Only by working together we can create an impact and make a difference. I am grateful to Nestlé Pakistan for joining hands with SAF’s nationwide Donate KaroNa Ration Drive. We have facilitated over 20,000 households and with this partnership, we will be able to cater to more families struggling because of the lockdown.”
Meanwhile, Muhammad Ghazzal, Chief Operating Officer, Saylani Welfare International Trust said, “In times like these, we have united for a common cause. I’m grateful to Nestlé Pakistan for supporting our ration delivery drive in Karachi by donating its dairy products that will address the dietary needs of those affected by this crisis.”
Read more: Nestle Pakistan donates products worth 10 million to PDMA
Highlighting Nestlé’s role in supporting the workers associated to the restaurant industry, Qasim Javaid Khan, Co-Founder & CEO of RIZQ said, “I would like to thank Nestlé for coming forward and collaborating with us to support daily wage employees of the restaurant industry who got unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis.”
Salman Sufi, CEO of Salman Sufi Foundation also acknowledged Nestlé for its support. He said, “Thank you Nestlé Pakistan for stepping up and donating food for 2000 families to #StepUp campaign by Sufi Foundation”.
We have launched 2 projects during #COVIDー19 .
1. #StepUp to provide food to daily wagers and ready to eat food for first responders.2. #LetsTalk– A instalive comfort sessions with psychologists, journalists and artists to help people with mental health complications.
— Salman Sufi Foundation (@FoundationSufi) May 6, 2020
Nestlé’s efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic so far
Earlier, Nestlé Pakistan stepped up its national response to the COVID-19 pandemic by partnering with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS). Their motive was to promote the well-being of all age groups during the pandemic; particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Overall, the partnership will include improving handwashing practices widely to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Moreover, they also aim to improve access and utilization of essential and quality hygiene aids to vulnerable communities.
Nestlé Pakistan is working tirelessly to ensure the provision of food and beverage products for consumers across Pakistan. This is in commitment to the strategic roadmap laid out by Prime Minister Imran Khan and respective provincial leaderships. Now that Nestlé Pakistan’s 100 million commitment has begun operations, they hope to play an essential role to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis.