Global Cocoa and Chocolate companies are donating $835,000 to help cocoa farmers and their families fight the spreading of the COVID-19 by supporting the national emergency plans of governments in West Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Coming on top of numerous individual company contributions and help to farmers, most of the money will go to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the biggest cocoa producers. It will also support health efforts in other major origin countries, including Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador, and Indonesia. The resources will be directed to leading international relief organizations operating in line with priorities set by the national governments, including CARE, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Lutheran World Relief.
Joseph Boahen Aidoo, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, said that steps have already been taken to support cocoa communities in Ghana. Joseph also added that they would do everything they can to ensure that the farmers have up-to-date information and the means to protect farmers and their families.
As stated by Yves Brahima Koné, Director-General of the Café-Cacao Council, the Council has noticed the interest of the chocolate and cocoa industry to support the government’s actions to stop the spread of the virus and to ensure that it does not reach rural areas of the country. The Council is grateful to the chocolate and cocoa companies that have already made contributions and are carrying out activities against the pandemic.
According to Richard Scobey, President of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF),this fund-raising effort shows that the cocoa and chocolate industry are united in their goal to help farmers and their families fight the virus and save lives in cocoa-growing communities around the world.
More than thirty companies and organizations from all around the world contributed to this industry-wide response.
