Nestlé S.A. to become Founding Corporate Sponsor of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Africa Health Initiative
Nestlé S.A. will be the Founding Corporate Sponsor of the Africa Health Initiative 2010 (ARCHI 2010) initiated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Nestlé will support this initiative by a financial contribution of CHF 3 million over the next three years. This commitment is part of a continuing relationship between Nestlé and International Federation over many decades, and follows Nestlé's support of the launch of ARCHI in 2000.
At a meeting marking the implementation of this new stage in their co-operation at the Federation's Headquarters in Geneva today, Mr. Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé S.A., handed over the first instalment of the contribution to Mr. Didier Cherpitel, Secretary-General of the International Federation. In his address, Mr. Brabeck-Letmathe described Nestlé's sustainable social development policy and its involvement in the local communities in developing countries. He also encouraged other businesses to join the International Federation in its fight against HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases in Africa and around the world.
Nestlé's contribution to ARCHI 2010 will be concentrating initially on Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, and on the prevention of the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus in that country, where more than 2.7 million people are estimated to be infected. The programme targets 1.2 million young people in 12 Nigerian States through 2640 peer educators. It will provide home care support to 7000 HIV-positive people with 300 volunteers providing counselling. Nestlé Nigeria, with its workforce of 1300, will closely collaborate with the Nigerian Red Cross in the carrying out of the programme.