With more than CHF 6 million of new financial support from
Nestlé, the partnership will accelerate the delivery of vaccines to underserved
communities around the world.
"The development of effective vaccines against COVID-19
has given the world hope," said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "Our
partnership with Nestlé will help secure quick and equitable access to vaccines
to those most in need, particularly in low-income countries."
Nestlé's donation approach allows for a flexible response,
including a contribution to the IFRC global appeal as well as targeted
in-country support in vulnerable countries and regions including in sub-Saharan
Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.
Much of the work on the ground will be through the local
structures of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It will focus on
the establishment of vaccination sites, the transport of vaccines, information
campaigns and promotion of the vaccination of high-risk groups.
Lisa Gibby, Head of Corporate Communications at Nestlé said:
"Nestlé's collaboration with the IFRC during this pandemic builds on a two
decade-long partnership. Together, we can support vaccine equity and help
communities everywhere find a way out of this crisis."
This donation complements a recently announced contribution
to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. This fund supports plans by COVAX to
rapidly scale up the international delivery of vaccines to low-income
countries.
We are also working directly with government authorities in
some countries to provide donations and support for local vaccination programs.
Through these combined initiatives Nestlé has committed CHF
10 million to equitable vaccination efforts to date.
The support for equitable access to vaccines is just the
latest phase in Nestlé's response to the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue to
engage in the fight against the pandemic and its consequences, protecting
people, maintaining global food supply and giving a helping hand in our local
communities.
Nestlé and the IFRC are long-standing partners. In 2020, the
two organizations responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a joint effort aimed at
supporting caregivers and strengthening healthcare systems. The program
benefited millions of people in communities in across 50 countries in all parts
of the world.
Read more on our partnership with the IFRC.
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