The mission is part of Diageo’s Spirit of the Americas humanitarian aid programme – an ongoing initiative to deliver assistance to disaster zones and communities where Diageo’s employees and their families live and work.
Guy Smith, executive vice president, corporate relations, Diageo North America, said: “On behalf of Diageo’s nearly 30,000 employees worldwide and those who distribute our products in Haiti, we are honoured to be able to deliver assistance in this time of need. It is our hope that these emergency provisions will give hope and safety to those who were stricken by this terrible disaster.”
The contents of the plane include WHO sanctioned emergency health kits that contain materials to provide basic medical care for more than 10,000 people for 90 days. Diageo will also be sending food supplies including beans, rice and cooking oil.
Diageo has a minority stake in Braisserie Nationale d’Haiti SA, a brewery located in Haiti’s capital city Port au Prince. Braisserie Nationale employs more than 1,300 staff and locally brews Guinness. The company also distributes Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Tanqueray.
Spirit of the Americas was established after the 9/11 attacks.
