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Nestle Committed To Improving Access To Water And Health In Côte d’Ivoire

On June 23, 2014, Nestlé and its partners inaugurated a new hydraulic pump in the village of Bleufor, in western Côte d’Ivoire. 

This pump, financed by Nestlé, replaces community wells which were supplying the population with water. Almost 800 people now have access to clean drinking water in this cocoa-producing community. 

The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) was responsible for monitoring the progress of the work carried out.

Nestlé has been working with the IFRC since 2007 to provide water, sanitation and hygiene training in Côte d’Ivoire. The third phase of this partnership (2010-2013) benefitted more than 105,000 adults and 58,000 children from 105 villages located in four regions of Côte d’Ivoire. In addition to the 88 restored water points in these communities, 4,631 community latrines and 54 school latrines were constructed or restored. 

Nestlé aims to improve the living conditions in cocoa-producing communities in its supply chain. This programme is a part of the company’s global commitments to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene for 350,000 members of the local communities situated near its production sites and where it buys its agricultural raw materials.   

On 24 June, a dispensary, also financed by Nestlé, will be inaugurated in Tacourably, another cocoa producing community. Approximately 12,000 people will benefit from better access to health care. 

"Our long-term success is intrinsically tied to the well-being of the communities that we serve and in which we operate. We are convinced that healthy populations, healthy economies and solid commercial performance are mutually beneficial.  We call this approach the ‘Creating Shared Value’ and we apply it to all our activities," stated Patricio Astolfi, Country Manager of Nestlé Côte d’Ivoire.

The villages of Bleufor and Tacourably supply cooperatives which form part of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, a plan that aims to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and the quality of their products.

The official inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of local and national authorities, representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Coffee and Cocoa Council, as well as representatives from Nestlé, Nestlé’s commercial partner, OLAM and the IFRC