Soft drinks maker Coca-Cola has announced a joint intitiave named Waste Worker Emergency Relief Project (WWERP) in association with CREASION, a non-government organization, to provide awareness, safety gears and relief materials for vulnerable waste workers and their families to help protect them from the impacts of coronavirus. Issuing a press statement, the company said that the project is part of Coca-Cola in Nepal’s initial pledge of Rs 80 million towards the fight against COVID-19. “This initiation aims to reach 3,200 waste workers and their families ensuring their safety and livelihood at the current situation of crisis while over 2,500 waste workers will be directly benefitted,” said the company. According to the statement, the project will be further carried out in different municipalities of Kathmandu, Kiritipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Lahan, Saptari and Siraha.

“The first programme of the project commenced on 15^th May in a safety awareness and distribution event of relief materials to 150 waste workers which was held at Women for Human Rights in Buddhanilkantha, Kathmandu,” informed the company.  

So far, four relief programs have been conducted successfully which has directly benefited 460 waste workers. “They were provided with safety and awareness programs, food relief packages, dignity kits for female beneficiaries which includes environmental-friendly and reusable sanitary pads along with personal hygiene materials such as soaps, detergents, gloves and essential medicines to ensure their primary needs and protect their livelihood,” reads the statement.

According to the company, protective jumpsuits and safety gears will be provided to 100 frontline waste workers in a relief programme on May 25 which will be facilitated by Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitian City Bidya Sundar Shakya.