Siemens Gamesa aids African communities impacted COVID-19
Tangier / 28 september 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, Africa continues to suffer, and the consequences add to an already tangled economic, medical and sanitary situation. As of the end of September, there are 1.4 million confirmed cases with a 2% death rate, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In such times, the contributions of the private sector and the solidarity of individuals is essential.
All projects carried out on the continent were in worth €350,000 in total.
Out of 18 SGRE impact projects selected worldwide, three have been implemented in Africa: one in Morocco, another in Kenya and the last one in South Africa.
In Morocco, we collaborated with the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) High Atlas Foundation, and distributed 500 food bags, sanitary products, 1,000 pieces of warm clothing and 5,000 almond and walnut trees to 4,000 beneficiaries in in Azilal, Boujdour, Chichaoua and Taroudant provinces, who all suffered significantly from the lack of tourism and food shortages.
In South Africa, our collaboration with the Nonprofit organization (NPO) Thalitha Cumi and Gratos Iscos Non-profit Company (NPC) organizations helped 300 families in the Tembisa township benefit from food, clothes and sanitary products which helped alleviate unfavorable circumstances the community is facing.
Soap and plastic buckets for water were distributed to 45,450 refugees and 10 training courses were conducted on site about children’s health and nutrition.
In Egypt, the company provided the Ras Ghareb hospital with medical equipment strengthening the long-term resilience of the whole community of 32,400 inhabitants.
Gawhara Abdelrahman from Ras Ghareb Wind Energy says “As challenging as it was, we are so proud to have been able to successfully deliver medical equipment to the Ras Ghareb hospital within acritical period of time, aiming to bring relief to local patients both on the short and long term".
In Morocco, SGRE collaborated with Amis des Ecoles (ADE), donating food and vital sanitary supplies to the Midelt community.
Amal Zniber of ADE stated that: “in the last 3 months, we joined forces with Siemens Gamesa to support 1,250 families in precarious situations in the Midelt region by providing them with necessary food and sanitary supplies. It is an honor to collaborate with a business that is so highly committed to engaging in social projects.”
Also in Morocco, the Tangier blade factory implemented three projects. They collaborated with the Melloussa Association for Local Development (AMDL) and local authorities, collected donations of food packages and sanitary productsfor 1,000 families in the Fahs Anjra region and donated much needed blood.
The second project consisted of the donation of 49 prefabricated containers to provide for vital infrastructure benefitting the auxiliary forces in the region dedicated to serve the local communities in the fight against COVID-19.
Lastly, around 100 employees from the Tangier blade factory participated in a blood donation campaign during a blood shortage.
In South Jordan, food supplies and sanitary products were distributed to 84 households in Al Rajef, Dlaghah andRassees, Taybeh, Fardakh and Sadaqah as food security continues to be a challenge in the country.
“We feel it is our responsibility to contribute where we can and help mitigate the effects of this crisis as much as possible. The team at Siemens Gamesa is very proud to work at a company that places value on community,” said Sonia Adnane, Head of Communications and Public Affairs Africa. “We hope these acts of social commitment will lay the foundation for a greater spirit of community to support long-term sustainable development across the continent.”
