Snacks company aims to help strengthen sustainability of affected areas
Snackingcompany Mondelēz International has partnered with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) locally to contribute to alleviating the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette (Rai) last Dec. 2021. This partnership aims to help support the ongoing and immediate relief operations and strengthen the sustainability of areas affected by the Category 5 super typhoon.
Strong typhoons are not uncommon in the Philippines as a tropical country. However, the effects of weather disturbances have been worsening of late. Typhoon Odette’s strong winds brought much destruction to many regions in the country. Homes were damaged, livelihoods were lost, and day-to-day survival became difficult. To contribute solutions to this enormous problem, Mondelēz International locally heeded the call of partner PBSP to provide meaningful and impactful support to five areas that were most devastated. These are Ilog in Negros Occidental; Cebu City; Bubong in Lanao del Sur; Del Carmen in Siargao, and Roxas in Palawan.
To help provide for the immediate needs of the residents in these areas, PBSP has mobilized to date P28.02 million pesos for SPHERE-standard family packs and shelter repair kits from various donors including Mondelēz International. Each family pack contains 10 kilos of rice, 5 cans of sardines, 5 cans of canned meat, 1 pack of biscuits, 50g coffee, 1/2 kg of brown sugar, ¼ kg of iodized salt, 1 bar of soap, and 6 liters of bottled water. Part of the assistance will also be the provision of a family mat, 3 blankets, and jerry can or water container. These are essentials aligned with the SPHERE project, a standard in humanitarian response, and which can feed a family of six for five days.
“We’re committed to growing our business by making our snacks in the right way , with positive impact for people and the planet,” shares Atty. Joseph Fabul, Country Manager for Corporate and Government Affairs of Mondelēz International in the Philippines. “While immediate support is needed in the areas where Typhoon Odette caused destruction, the second half of our partnership with PBSP will be focused on supporting the sustainability of lives in these areas. Typhoons are a way of life in the country, and we would like to help support the preparedness of communities to face them in the future. We look forward to working with PBSP on implementing this program, which will be rooted in community understanding and sustainability planning.”
To find out how you too can support programs for Typhoon Odette affected areas, visit the PBSP website.