Facing up to an epidemic
How Coca‑Cola is addressing HIV/AIDS in Africa
December 1st is World Aids Day, when people from around the globe come together in solidarity with those living with HIV to raise awareness and tackle prejudice.
More than 70 per cent of those infected with HIV/AIDS live in Africa, and as part of our commitment to the communities we operate in, Coca‑Cola is running healthcare initiatives across the continent to help people living with the virus.
Access to medicines in Tanzania
Coca‑Cola drinks are distributed around the world using a variety of methods. We’re using this distribution expertise to help the Medical Stores Department (MSD) of Tanzania, which coordinates the cross-country delivery of key medicines and HIV anti-retroviral drugs.
Working with the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria - a partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector - Coca‑Cola is sponsoring a pilot scheme in which we advise the MSD on route planning, scheduling and even the best types of vehicle to use to reach small, faraway villages. Coca‑Cola is the first private company to support the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals in this way, and is working to engage other companies in the project going forward.
Did you know? It is estimated that 33 million people worldwide are infected with HIV
The Coca‑Cola Africa Foundation
The Coca‑Cola Africa Foundation has pledged $2.5 million over a three year period to further develop community HIV/AIDS programmes across Africa. We sponsor high-impact, community-focused programmes, which take place across the continent, with our strategic partners. For example, we are working with the African Network for Children Orphaned or at Risk (ANCHOR) to help more than 113,000 orphans and vulnerable children receive welfare support and education.
Supporting our employees
Coca‑Cola’s unique workplace programme in Africa combines the prevention, awareness and treatment of HIV/AIDS. We give out free condoms, offer confidential voluntary counselling and provide testing for all of our employees and their families. We make anti-retroviral drugs freely available to all who need them, to help tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
