CREASION and Coca-Cola successfully conclude 2nd week of relief distribution; 160 waste workers receive protective jumpsuits and ration packages

CREASION Nepal with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation has successfully conducted the second week of distribution programs as part of the ongoing Waste Workers Emergency Relief Project (WWERP) in various locations in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu and Kritipur.

The team reached out to around 160 waste workers where protective jumpsuits and ration packages were distributed in Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. The distribution in Bhaktapur was conducted under the facilitation of Doko Recyclers, and the local government with the presence of Colonel Shiva Paudel, Bir Dal Ganapati and SP Sabin Pradhan of Metropolitan police circle of Bhaktapur. Simultaneously on the same day in Kathmandu,a second distribution event was held at Rashtriya Sabha Griha in the presence of the Mayor of Kathmandu, Mr. Bidhya Sundar Shakya.

In addition to this, over 252 ration packages and 175 safety gears which includes protective jumpsuits, masks and boots, were provided to  waste workers of various areas such as Kritipur, Durbarmarg, Ratopool, Tokha and Budhanilkantha through the last three days of the past week. These distribution programs were conducted successfully under the facilitation of consortium partners Blue Waste to Value, Women for Human Rights, Himalayan Climate Initiative and Nepsemyak.

The WWERP project which formally commenced from 15^th May, 2020, has so far benefited over 1100 waste workers through ration packages and safety gears along with awareness programs and medical consultations.The project was initiated in a response to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and aims to positively benefit 3200 waste worker beneficiaries across Nepal.The project will be carried out in different municipalities of Kathmandu, Kirtipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Saptari and Siraha.

Speaking about the ongoing project, Mr. Aanand Mishra, Founder and President, CREASION said, “It is important to realize the contribution of waste workers in ensuring the health and hygiene of our communities, more so during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Despite challenges and hardships that they have been facing themselves, they continue with their profession. They are equally at the front line as any other professionals such as doctors and security personnel and it is important that we acknowledge them. Our initiative in support of The Coca-Cola Foundation is just a small way that we want to express our gratitude for the service of our waste workers. We hope we can make a difference in their lives through our response.”

Mr. Ambuj Singh, Country Director of Coca-Cola in Nepal shared, “We express our heartfelt gratitude to all heroic frontline waste workers. We are all together in this and through this joint initiative with CREASION, we aim to ensure health, safety and betterment of the livelihoods of the waster worker community”

Mr. Pradip Pandey, Managing Director of Bottlers Nepal Limited and CEO of Bottlers Nepal (Terai) Limited also shared, “The ongoing situation requires support and contribution from all to ensure we come out of this stronger as a Nation. This project is a crucial response to support waste workers who are at the front line despite the current health crisis. We are committed to ensure safety and wellbeing of our people and continue to support the communities across Nepal.”