National Business Compact mobilizes corporates to fight Covid-19

The National Business Compact on COVID-19, (NBCC) is a coalition convened by The Marketing Society of Kenya comprised of brands in the hygiene business, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Association of Practitioners in Advertising, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Public Relations Society of Kenya, AMREF, SDG Partnership Platform, and the UN family in Kenya whose mandate is to accelerate local action and support government efforts in countering the pandemic.

The CEO of Marketing Society of Kenya, Mr. Edward Oswe said, the National Business Compact has raised over 80 million both in cash and in-kind donation from Unilever, Pz Cussons, Reckitt & Benckiser, Live Ad, Protel Studios, Menengai, Pwani Oil Product, Chandaria Industries, BRCK, Beiersdorf, Copia, Microsoft, Rotary International,  Johnson & Johnson, Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), Twiga and Jumia.

The coalition was launched on March 162020, through the efforts of The Ministry of Health to mobilize support from corporates and private firms in countering the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kenya, stated”: “As the Ministry of Health, we are looking forward to collaborating with the Kenya Business Compact to win the fight against COVID-19 and advance our journey towards Universal Health Coverage in the Country. Promoting and educating Kenyans in applying good health practices – as for example handwashing – is a key Government strategy to build a healthy and productive nation. With the uncertainty which COVID-19 brings to Kenya and the rest of the world it’s all hands-on board to curtail and eradicate it. Business, through their marketing practices, and in many other ways, can certainly play a valuable role in helping the Country”

“COVID-19 has dealt a huge blow to our economy and many families are going through tough economic times. As a coalition we felt there is a need to mobilize more support and complement government efforts in fighting the pandemic” SaidDr Githinji Gitahi, Group Chief Executive Officer – Amref Health Africa.

“So far, we have received encouraging support from various channels and we would like to appeal to more organizations to support the initiative both financially and in-kind, a move that will go a long way in assisting and supporting those in need during the pandemic.” Dr. Githinji added

The goal of the coalition is to ensure that the business community gives the government adequate resources in the form of funds, services, and essential products during the ongoing pandemic.

Some of the initiatives the coalition has come up with include; the drive and amplification of consumer education, awareness, and prevention measures on the pandemic, mobilizing retailers and suppliers in the distribution of essentials services and products in the low income and urban slums countrywide, setting up hygiene centers across identified hotspots in vulnerable populations and the creation of a Flexi fund to help the government respond to the emergency crisis.

The coalition comprises of brands in the hygiene business, Association of Practitioners in Advertising (APA), Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), Amref Health Africa, SDG Partnership Platform and the UN family in Kenya.

So far, the coalition has been involved in initiatives such as the donation of Kshs. 3Million to support Government quarantine facilities and Kshs. 2Million to support doctors in call centers, funds that have been raised by corporates within the coalition.

The Rotary clubs in Kenya, as part of the Rotary district 9212, have actively been involved in the larger Western area deploying 200 tanks in the 11 Western region counties. The clubs have already deployed 300 tanks in Coast and Western regions and plan to expand countrywide.

On Monday, 27th April 2020, Rotary received a cheque of Kshs. 2 million in a partnership with Prime Bank to support the ongoing activities.

NBCC in partnership with the government has scaled handwashing stations in hotspots within the country with donations of 2000 stations set up in Nairobi, Central, Coastal areas, and an addition of 200 more stations being handed over this week in Western- with a reach target of 7,500 countrywide.

In addition, there has been a donation of over 30,000 bars of soap to reach at least 6,000 families through the Food for Education program.

Mr. Oswe is appealing to local and international organizations in Kenya to come on board, donate, and contribute towards the fight to contain and top this pandemic. Organizations willing to donate may reach the National Business Compact via email address [email protected] or mobile number, 0110 012 725, or reach out by contacting the Marketing Society of Kenya on email, [email protected] or mobile number, 0792,001,391.

Organizations that may want to support the initiative can make their contributions towards the fund through MPESA Paybill Number 344555, Account Name National Business Compact Fund for Corona Virus Response. The bank details are also available on the website at www.covid19businessresponse.ke.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has been focusing on promoting and educating Kenyans in applying good health practices through initiatives such as handwashing and sanitizing to ensure that the public is safe throughout the pandemic period. NBCC has partnered with local media houses to sensitize and educate the public on handwashing, sanitizing, and social distancing as a way of helping the government drive awareness and consumer education towards adopting pro-social behavior.

Kenya Business Compact was co-founded and co-chaired by Dr Myriam Sidibe, a renowned handwashing expert, and Senior Fellow, at Harvard Kennedy School

Article first published on https://biznakenya.com/national-business-compact/