Coca-Cola Foundation allocates $300,000 for joint drinking water projects with URCS in southern Ukraine
The Coca-Cola Foundation has allocated $300,000 in grant assistance for joint projects with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) designed to provide the population of Kherson, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions with access to clean drinking water, one of them is a new artesian well in the village of Chornobayivka (Kherson region), says the foundation’s press release.
“Access to clean drinking water is vital to the health and well-being of the population. We support the URCS’ efforts to improve access to drinking water for affected communities that are experiencing water shortages. Ensuring sustainable access to drinking water remains a leading focus of our work,” President of the Coca-Cola Foundation Carlos Pagoaga said.
"The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam has created a catastrophic situation regarding fresh water in many regions of Ukraine, particularly in the Chornobayivka territorial community of Kherson region. The remaining artesian wells are unable to supply residents with drinking water. Currently, the issue is being addressed by bringing in bottled water from Kherson and Mykolaiv," the report says.
However, this temporary measure does not solve the problem globally, moreover, the path to Chornobayivka is dangerous due to constant shelling of the village from the left bank of the Dnipro River.
"The Ukrainian Red Cross and the Coca-Cola Foundation are helping to resolve this humanitarian crisis by drilling a new artesian well in the village of Chornobayivka as part of a grant program," the report reads.
“Since June last year, the problem of water shortages has been particularly acute in the regions that depended on the Kakhovka reservoir. Unfortunately, many communities in Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions still do not have enough water. It is important for us to support people and provide them with access to drinking water. That is why implementing this project is a priority in our activities,” says Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
"Today, the Ukrainian Red Cross works in close coordination with the state sector, particularly with local authorities in the regions, so we know the needs in these regions. Moreover, we constantly respond to requests from local communities across the country," he noted.
According to the press release, in total, starting from February 24, 2022, the Coca-Cola Сompany, together with the Coca-Cola Foundation, pledged to provide charitable assistance worth more than $35 million to Ukrainians.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the charitable arm of The Coca-Cola Company, was created in 1984. It is clarified that since that time the fund has transferred grant funds in the amount of more than $1.5 billion. They are aimed at ensuring continuous access to drinking water, combating global climate change and natural disasters, developing a circular economy and expanding economic opportunities, as well as solving problems related to communities where the Coca-Cola and its employees operate.
