KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Dutch brewer Heineken is donating €15 million to support the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) relief efforts for the most vulnerable people affected by COVID-19, in particular in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In a recent statement, Heineken said it has been taking measures since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak to support the health and livelihood of employees and communities in which it operates.
Heineken chairman and CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer said the brewer has been following three guiding principles from the start of the outbreak.
"First, the health, safety and trust of our people is of paramount importance. Second, we do everything we can to safeguard the continuity of our business and appeal of our brands, which includes supporting the business continuity of our customers and suppliers. And, third, through our local initiatives, we offer our support to the communities who are most impacted by the pandemic," he said.
Boxmeer said that for over 100 years, the Red Cross has worked to save lives around the world.
“Now more than ever, we want to offer them our support in the work they do to help the most vulnerable beat Covid-19,” he said.
Meanwhile, Heineken Brewery Malaysia Bhd’s Tiger Beer on April 17 said it will donate RM1.5 million to support Malaysian street food during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Heineken Malaysia managing director Roland Bala said the funding will be used to help cover rent for street food vendors, coffee shops and food courts across the country as they face reduced income due to ongoing restrictions.
He said RM1 million of the funds will be made available immediately, and will benefit street food vendors operating in more than 1,200 coffee shops and food courts nationwide.
Bala said Tiger has long been a champion for Asian street food, and hopes that the Tiger ‘Save Our Street Food’ fund goes some way to easing their financial burden during this tough time, and look forward to supporting them further as conditions improve.
“We also invite the public to join us in supporting the local coffee shops and food courts where many of our favourite street food vendors operate, with the purchase of vouchers to be redeemed once restrictions are relaxed. For every RM10 spent, Tiger Beer will contribute another RM17, helping these outlets get back on their feet,” he said.