Information communications technology (ICT) provider Huawei Technologies on Thursday donated Kshs 9,4 million to the Kenya Red Cross Society though the ‘Kenyans for Kenya’ initiative. The funds will be used to support urgent humanitarian relief efforts for drought victims.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Huawei’s CEO in Kenya Herman He said every Kenyan regardless of their tribe, income or residence has the right to access sustainable food and not wonder where their next meal will come from.
“Our donation today shows Huawei’s commitment as a member UN’s Global Compact to fulfill our responsibility as a global corporate citizen with local presence, by enabling a higher standard of living for those in our society,” He said.
Accepting the donation Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, said: “On behalf of the Kenyans for Kenya committee, I would like to thank Huawei for boosting this good cause through their generous contribution of Ksh9,4 million to help feed thousands of Kenyans who are currently in dire need of food and medical attention, as a result of the effects of drought.”
He said the Horn of Africa, Kenya included, was facing the worst drought since 1950.
Last week, 150 metric tonnes of enriched maize and bean flour was flagged off to help save the lives of Kenyans hardest hit by drought – the third consignment of relief food sent out by the private sector initiative, making the current total 450 metric tonnes.
Also present at the event was Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore and representatives from the Chinese Embassy – Deputy Ambassador Yan XiuSheng and Economic Counsellor Han Chunlin.
The Kenyans for Kenya campaign, an initiative of The Kenya Red Cross, KCB Foundation, Safaricom Foundation and the Media Owners plans to raise Ksh, 1 billion over four weeks.
The funds will go towards both short- term solutions (emergency food relief and water trucking) and medium- term solutions (rehabilitating or sinking boreholes and setting up greenhouses to improve food security).
Tintswalo Baloyi
