KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé Malaysia Bhd has committed to investing RM15 million as funding for Covid-19 relief efforts.
This will be articulated under the “Nestlé Cares” umbrella as well as through specific initiatives supported by its different brands, the company said.
Its chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the amount would supports over 200,000 Malaysians through immediate Covid-19 pandemic relief efforts and by developing programmes to support the livelihoods of lower income communities.
“We are mindful that the road to recovery post-MCO will not be an easy one as many Malaysians have lost their jobs and many small companies are struggling, and this is the time for companies like ours to provide a helping hand.
“Hence, we commit to provide support to over 200,000 Malaysians,” he said in a statement.
Nestlé said the first phase, which already started, was focused on providing immediate relief through its partnership with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) and multiple food donations to front liners and people in need.
A second phase will follow to focus on supporting livelihoods of the most impacted communities.
“In summary, it is about helping those who have been most impacted by the Covid-19 crisis to get back on their feet,” said Aranols.
As part of the first phase, Nestlé Malaysia is contributing to MRCS a cash contribution of RM1 million.
A further RM600,000 was donated for the distribution of 10,000 Nestlé family food packs to vulnerable communities via established MRCS and partner NGO networks nationwide.
Nestlé also channelled over RM500,000 towards donations of food and beverage products to hospitals to support the needs of medical front liners, to quarantine centres, as well as to university students, through Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia.
The efforts under the first phase of Nestlé Cares will see a total contribution of more than RM2 million from Nestlé Malaysia.
Meanwhile, it said the second phase would help address socioeconomic issues emerging such as the loss of livelihoods among the B40 and lower income communities, as well as a number of impacted local small and medium enterprises.