Staying strong together: Nestlé mobilises entire value chain to launch global COVID-19 response

Nestlé has partnered with the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies to launch a global COVID-19 response

Nestlé has mobilised its brands, supply chain, distribution and retail partners to launch a comprehensive global COVID-19 response.

This is in addition to the company’s initial donation of CHF10 million (US$1.4 million) to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem and consequently we are offering help on the ground everywhere, drawing on our extensive presence and experience in 187 countries” — Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Mark Schneider

Central and West Africa

In Central and West Africa, the company has launched a US$3.4 million effort to help socially-vulnerable communities across the region. It has donated food and beverage products to support 850,000 people in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

Nestlé also donated personal protective gear and medical equipment to hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal, including three ventilators for Burkina Faso’s intensive care units.

It has also contributed US$420,000 to strengthen Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in the

region.

“Nestlé has been present in Central & West Africa for more than 60 years. We live and operate in these communities across the region, so we are committed to help in any way that we can,” says Nestlé Central and West Africa CEO Rémy Ejel

Nestlé Central and West Africa CEO Rémy Ejel commented, “We’re offering our full support to families across Central and West Africa during these challenging times, and to those who are battling to keep them safe. Nestlé has been present in Central & West Africa for more than 60 years. We live and operate in these communities across the region, so we are committed to help in any way that we can.”

The company is supporting 850,000 food-insecure people in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Mali, Niger and Nigeria

#AlwaysOpenForYou helps local out-of-home food and beverage businesses weather the COVID-19 storm

Europe, Middle East and North Africa

In the Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EMENA) region, Nestle is donating food products to customers in the out-of-home food sector as part of its ‘Always Open For You’ food service initiative.

The CHF500 million (US$512 million) programme helps small businesses weather the COVID-19 storm, by offering adaptable solutions to help them maintain a source of income and eventually reopen when the crisis

eases.

Nestlé EMENA is supporting its business partners in the region by suspending rental fees, extending payment terms, and launching digital training schemes. Its Nestlé Waters, Nespresso, Nescafé, Buondi, and Chef brands have also joined together to support hotels, restaurants, and cafes, in partnership with the IFRC.

The company is also backing various out-of-home initiatives such as voucher and free goods programmes launched in France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Head of Nestlé Waters EMENA Muriel Lienau commented, “The out-of-home sector has been hit hard by the crisis. Hotels, restaurants and cafes have suffered a devastating blow; many are closed, others can’t pay the rent, thousands of employees face uncertainty.

She added, “We need to be at their side now and focus on what measures we can take and how we can best support. Developing tailored plans that help them bridge between now and the full-scale reopening is crucial to the long-term survival of many of our long-term partners.”

“All of us must do our part to keep our hospitality industry afloat during these devastating times,” commented Nestlé Professional EMENA Regional Business Manager Vincent de Clippele. “Many of our business partners will need attention and support for months to come. We will be there with them, today, tomorrow and in the future. It is up to us to make a real impact for them when they need it most.”

In Pakistan, Nestlé has committed 100 million rupees (US$624,000) to the country’s national COVID-19 response. The company has also launched a donation matching campaign with its employees.

Nestlé Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Samer Chedid said, “We will be mobilising relief to medical facilities (quarantine centres) and food-delivery organisations serving vulnerable families, worth 100 million rupees, in the form of product and cash donations, through national and provincial disaster management authorities and local governments.”

Nestlé Pakistan is supporting food-insecure communities with a cash and in-kind donation worth US$624,000

Europe

In Europe, the Swiss confectionery company has donated 9,000 care packages, worth €1.8 million, to more than 900 hospitals in Germany.

It also donated approximately half a million products to ICUs, health centres, and field hospitals in Spain. It has also partnered with the Madrid City Council to launch the ‘Adopt a Grandfather’ initiative which offers isolated elderly people much-needed telephone support.

In its home country of Switzerland, Nestlé has donated CHF1 million (US$1 million) to support health workers and non-profit organisations.

Over 500,000 food and beverage products have been delivered to public health institutions in Spain

The confectionery company also made a CHF1 million donation to support public health authorities in its home country of Switzerland

Asia Pacific

Nestlé Malaysia has pledged to support 200,000 socially vulnerable Malaysians amid the crisis. It has committed RM15 million (US$3.4 million) to fund initiatives that will supplement the livelihoods of lower income communities and small enterprises as part of the ‘Nestle Cares’ CSR umbrella.

It donated RM1 million (US$230,000) to the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRCS), to upgrade the emergency medical equipment in MRCS ambulances, used as a critical transport service for COVID-19 designated hospitals.

It also donated 10,000 Nestlé family food packages, and channelled RM500,000 (US$115,000) to the Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia to supply food for health workers and quarantine centres.

In addition, Nestlé Malaysia has mobilised its Maggi, Milo, and Nescafé brands to create employment opportunities for low income families and support partners across its value chain. This includes SMEs, distributors, and restaurant operators.

Nestlé Malaysia Berhad Chief Executive Officer Juan Aranols said, “With these initiatives in place, Nestlé Malaysia aims to help many Malaysians overcome their difficulties”

An initial donation of RM1 million was made to upgrade the medical equipment of the MRCS ambulance service

“We are committed to play our part in the national response to this pandemic and we are directing significant investment and resources to support the most vulnerable and impacted communities in Malaysia through these difficult times,” said Nestlé Malaysia Berhad Chief Executive Officer Juan Aranols.

He added, “With these initiatives in place, Nestlé Malaysia aims to help many Malaysians overcome their difficulties and we will continue to contribute to the nation’s recovery effort through our ongoing operational activities, our planned investments and the unwavering commitment in support of the nation.”

In Australia, Nestlé is donating a minimum of AU$2 million (US$1.29 million) in products to communities most impacted by COVID-19. It has also extended its partnerships with food relief organisation Foodbank — across its network of 2,400 charity agencies — to offer relief to food-insecure communities across Australia.

Nestlé Oceania Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Martinez commented, “An act of kindness can go a long way in these uncertain times, with even the smallest gestures having the potential to make a big difference to both individuals and broader communities.”

North America

Nestlé has teamed up with Freshly to give 40,000 meals to senior citizens currently in isolation

In the US, Nestlé has partnered with Freshly to channel US$500,000 to Meals on Wheels’s coronavirus response. The funds will provide 40,000 meals directly to at-risk homebound senior citizens.

It has also provided US$100,000 worth of financial aid to support food-insecure students through the No Kid Hungry organisation, and to food banks such as the Cleveland Food Bank in Ohio, Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, and Food Lifeline in Washington State.

In addition, the company mobilised its Maggi, Nido, Abuelita and La Lechera brands to donate 35,000 meals to Washington-based food service organisation Miriam’s Kitchen.

The Nestlé Waters brands is also delivering 52,000 bottles of water to homebound residents in the City of Flint and hand sanitiser to healthcare professionals in Maine, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Nestlé USA Chief Executive Officer Steve Presley commented, “As this crisis continues to disrupt the lives of our employees, consumers and communities, we’re mobilising relief efforts across the US and around the world to help.”

Staying strong together

Commenting on the company’s global response to COVID-19 Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Mark Schneider said: “Now is the time to demonstrate the values of the Nestlé family. I am deeply impressed and humbled by what our team has accomplished in order to support individuals and communities affected by this crisis.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem and consequently we are offering help on the ground everywhere, drawing on our extensive presence and experience in 187 countries.”

In the video below, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Mark Schneider and Nestlé Chairman of the Board of Directors Paul Bulcke address employees and stakeholders, by offering a message of solidarity and support.

Bulcke said, “We will continue to enhance our safety measures as the situation evolves. Our goal is to make sure you feel safe and protected at work. Especially for those in the frontlines… you have become the true heroes of this crisis.”