In a recent meeting, Chief Minister Punjab, Usman Buzdar received a certificate worth PKR 10 million worth of products from Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Pakistan. The company donated their contribution during the Chief Minister’s visit to the office of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
According to PDMA’s twitter account, they are working round the clock to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospi. tals. In fact, they are also distributing food to quarantined families in addition to other vital services. Hence, such a large contribution by Nestlé Pakistan can help broaden NDMA’s horizons. Families all over Punjab are suffering due to lack of employment, causing urgency within the provincial entities.
Coronavirus in Pakistan today
According to the National Disaster Management Authority, the tally of reported COVID-19 cases in Pakistan has jumped to 22,550, along with a rising death toll of 526. Namely, 8133 cases have so far been detected in Punjab, 8189 in Sindh, 3499 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1495 in Balochistan, 372 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 464 in Islamabad Capital Territory and 71 in Azad Kashmir.
@nestlepakistan has stepped up to help families whose income has been impacted due to #lockdown Nestle has donated water, juices, Nido, Milk Pack, Lactogrow and Cerelac which will be distributed by PDMA. pic.twitter.com/LhJLBprrsB
— PDMA Punjab Official (@PdmapunjabO) May 4, 2020
In the last twenty-four hours, 24 deaths and 1,315 new cases have been reported. Reports say that 6,217 patients have recovered so far, whereas, the death toll stands at 526. Around 590 hospitals are working for treating the victims of the pandemic with thousands of patients admitted across the country.
Nestlé Pakistan’s contribution to fight COVID-19
The company has committed a whopping amount of Rs 100 million in its national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the pledge, Nestle Pakistan will give products and cash donations. These will include 4 million servings of milk, iron-fortified dairy products, baby cereals, water and juices.
CEO Nestle Pakistan, Samer Chedid further highlighted their efforts. “We will be mobilizing relief to medical facilities (quarantine centers) and food-delivery organizations serving vulnerable families, worth 100 million rupees, in the form of product and cash donations”. This will take place through national and provincial disaster management authorities along with the local governments.
Honorable Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar @UsmanAKBuzdar visited PDMA's office. SMBR/Relief Commissioner briefed him in detail about ongoing operations to end #CoronavirusPandemic & #LocustInvasion CM was also briefed about disbursement of aid under Insaaf Imdad Program pic.twitter.com/tVqnWPIU1P
— PDMA Punjab Official (@PdmapunjabO) May 3, 2020
Furthermore, they have also partnered with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS). PRCS has an unmatched presence and expertise in providing first-aid, emergency response and epidemic control. In order to enable this entity to play its part in the current pandemic, Nestlé has dedicated a fund worth PKR 5 million.
As part of this partnership, Nestlé Pakistan will extend support to PRCS for promoting the well-being of all age groups during the pandemic. This fund is will help install hand hygiene stations at public places, along with quarantine and health facilities across Balochistan and KPK.
Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs Nestlé Pakistan, said, “With our partnership with Pakistan Red Crescent Society, we will be able to provide equitable access to public hand hygiene stations along with, raising awareness about personal hygiene by distributing hygiene kits to vulnerable communities of Pakistan. This partnership is part of Nestlé Pakistan’s commitment to playing a key role in the national response to this pandemic”.
Read more: Nestlé Pakistan announces financial results – boasts 29.8 billion in revenue
Takeaway
Nestlé Pakistan is working tirelessly to ensure the provision of food and beverage products to consumers across Pakistan. They are following the strategic roadmap laid out by Prime Minister Imran Khan and respective provincial leaderships. In fact, the multinational giant has also joined hands with reputable NGOs to work across the country on different issues including recently a plastic cleanup drive in Hunza. Through this, they will cater to COVID-19 emergency appeals for deserving people across Pakistan.