COCA-COLA SUPPORTS THE ITALIAN RED CROSS AND THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE IN MANAGING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY IN ITALY

1.3 million euros donated to the Italian Red Cross and products sent to over 10,000 health workers to be close to those fighting the virus in hospitals

Milan, 18 March 2020 - Coca-Cola supports those who are on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 with an immediate donation of 1.3 million euros to the Italian Red Cross, which - coordinated by the Civil Protection - is providing fundamental support to eradicate the epidemic, but also by offering its products in hospitals to express closeness to over 10,000 health workers who face the emergency in Italy every day.               

Coca-Cola has been present in Italy for over 90 years, an international company but deeply rooted in the territory in which it operates. For this reason, it has made its contribution, obtained thanks to the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola in the world that provides a fund dedicated to emergencies, and Coca-Cola in Italy with which equipped ambulances, vehicles for personal assistance, materials for transport with high biological containment can be purchased ,  cars and mopeds to assist people at home, purchase of medical devices for use by doctors and volunteers, as well as for hospital use. In addition, it will be possible to put in place additional volunteer actions aimed at hospitals and in favor of the weakest categories during emergency conditions.

"We thank Coca-Cola in Italy and The Coca-Cola Foundation for this important gesture of solidarity for the benefit of the whole country. - said Francesco Rocca, President of the Italian Red Cross - Thanks to the generous donation we will be able to implement more services and be increasingly in support of the most fragile people such as the elderly, the immunosuppressed, those in quarantine and all Italian citizens who are experiencing a period of great stress and difficulty. It makes us proud that a large reality like Coca-Cola wants to support the work of our Volunteers, now universally known as that of 'An Italy that Helps'."

As a small gesture of immediate proximity, Coca-Cola is donating product supplies to the more than 10,000 healthcare workers across Italy who have been fighting tirelessly for over a month. At the regional level, then, further support is taking shape with the donation of product by employees of the Coca-Cola HBC Italia plants in Nogara (VR), Marcianise (CE), Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Oricola (AQ) and Lurisia (CN) to health facilities near the factories. In addition, following the closure of bars and restaurants, the Directors of the production sites, in full compliance with the safety regulations provided by the health authorities, have decided to offer a take-away lunch to hauliers in transit to facilitate their complex work that allows food supply in large-scale retail outlets.

Finally, on behalf of the employees of the Sicilian plant of Sibeg, €80,000 will be donated to the Vittorio Emanuele Polyclinic Hospital in Catania, through the Civil Protection.