Amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, PepsiCo Middle East and its local bottling partner, Société Moderne Libanaise pour le Commerce (SMLC), are actively contributing to relief efforts. Collaborating with local and international partners, they are providing crucial assistance to individuals displaced by the ongoing conflict and those severely impacted by recent events.
The situation remains dire, with Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs reporting a peak displacement of over 1.2 million people since early March, a figure that includes approximately 300,000 children. Countless families are seeking refuge in overcrowded schools, sports stadiums, and various shelters, frequently facing severe limitations in accessing food, clean water, and other essential services.
Responding to these urgent and expanding needs, PepsiCo Middle East and SMLC have pledged approximately US$1 million towards humanitarian response efforts. This vital aid is being channeled through highly trusted organizations, including the Lebanese Red Cross, the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon, the Lebanese Food Bank, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The comprehensive contribution covers emergency medical supplies, shelter assistance, food provisions, hygiene kits, and a range of other critical relief services.
“Teams on the ground are witnessing the scale of need escalate daily, particularly among families who have lost access to stable shelter and fundamental services,” stated Hussein Sannouh, SMLC Executive General Manager. “Our paramount priority is to collaborate with local partners to deliver practical support precisely where it is most needed, with the utmost speed and efficiency.”
Partners operating directly on the ground are continuously scaling up their response strategies as humanitarian needs evolve. Their support is meticulously focused on providing both immediate relief and ensuring the sustained provision of essential services.
“Under the current challenging circumstances, the Lebanese Red Cross is conducting extensive emergency response operations to address critical life-saving needs and offer every possible form of support to uphold human dignity, all within its operational capacities,” explained Georges Kettaneh, Secretary General of the Lebanese Red Cross. “PepsiCo’s initiative, for which we are profoundly grateful, will significantly bolster this response by providing cash assistance to approximately 1,000 individuals for one month, alongside the rehabilitation of one vital center and the repair of damaged ambulances.”
Concurrently, Wael Ismail, VP of Corporate Affairs for MENAPAK, commented, “Communities across Lebanon are enduring immense hardship, and this contribution represents a crucial step towards alleviating some of that burden. Having maintained a presence in the region for over 75 years, we have consistently partnered with various organizations to contribute to humanitarian and community endeavors. Our focus today remains steadfast on supporting those at the forefront of the response and ensuring that assistance reaches affected individuals with dignity and respect.”
International partners have also underscored the increasing strain on vulnerable communities and the critical essential services they rely upon.
Magda Rossman, Country Director for the IRC in Lebanon, emphasized, “Families in Lebanon are exerting every effort to survive. People have been compelled to flee their homes, while the essential services they depend on, including healthcare, protection, and education, are facing unprecedented strain. Support from private sector partners is instrumental, empowering our teams to respond swiftly and effectively in emergency contexts, ensuring aid reaches those who need it most.”
PepsiCo Middle East and SMLC reaffirm their commitment to ongoing engagement with partners, dedicated to responding to the evolving humanitarian needs and providing sustained support to affected populations throughout the region.
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