Coca Cola joins hands with NGOs for rehabilitation in Bihar

Patna, Oct 3 (UNI) Coca Cola, in collaboration with three leading NGOs - Plan India, World Vision India and Save the Children - today announced its plan to undertake extensive rehabilitation projects for children in flood-affected areas of Bihar.

Announcing the initiative, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited General Manager Tapas Kumar Mandal said the projects included reconstruction of 125 classrooms in more than 60 schools, each of which would have provision for safe drinking water.

The initiative, when completed, would help more than 10,000 children return to classrooms, he said.

The 60 schools would be identified for reconstruction in consultation with the district administration, Panchayats and the NGO partners, Mr Mandal said, adding, the rehabilitation projects would also include revival of at least 10 primary health centres in the worst-affected Araria, Madhepura and Supaul districts.

With an aim of boosting the ongoing relief efforts, Coca Cola and the associated NGOs would also provide plastic sheets, household articles, hygiene kits, child protection kits, water purification tablets, ORS packets and other necessary amenities for immediate relief to thousands of the affected.

The rehabilitation projects are expected to commence later this month and scheduled to be completed in the next 12-18 months, he added.

''Our focus will be on rebuilding the educational infrastructure along with provision for clean drinking water in schools in such a manner that the children are benefitted the most,'' Mr Mandal observed.

Among others, Head of Programmes, Plan India, Mohammad Asif, and MS Emma Mumford and Mr Franknil Joseph of Save the Child and World Vision India were present on the occasion.

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