Coca-Cola Foundation uplifts 6,000 vulnerable families with life-saving relief packs

The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) has stepped forward with funding to help 6,000 vulnerable Sri Lankan families struggling due to the ongoing economic crisis through the ‘Say We Care’ initiative which will be delivering much-needed food essential packs across the island.

The initiative will distribute relief packs that will last approximately two months among some of the hardest-hit communities in the most vulnerable parts across the island. The vulnerable families are in nine districts, namely Gampaha, Kalutara, Colombo, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Mannar, Vavuniya, Monaragala, and Nuwara Eliya. 

These families have been identified through a screening process with the assistance of Implementing Partner Sevalanka Foundation, a voluntary social services organisation under the Ministry of Social Services, and the various local Government authorities in each region.

Each relief pack will consist of dry rations and a few hygiene and medical related household items that would support these families. 

The vulnerable groups in the community specifically targeted by this project include pregnant and lactating mothers, children (with forms of under nutrition including particularly malnutrition), persons with disabilities, single-parent families/women-headed households, low-income households, households with large number of dependents, heads of households without livelihoods, and households heavily reliant on unskilled and daily labourers.

The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) President Saadia Madsbjerg said: “We have a long history of supporting local communities in a sustainable and responsible manner during difficult times. Supporting this ‘Say We Care’ initiative is the latest in our list of collective efforts that aim to bring about a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable communities.”

Recently, TCCF also provided funding to Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and other partners for interventions which enabled recovery and rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the Coca-Cola Foundation provided Rs. 110 million combating COVID-19 impacted areas of the island.