Uber, Red Cross Society support vulnerable communities | Sunday Observer

Uber, Red Cross Society support vulnerable communities

4 September, 2022
Uber and Red Cross officials after signing the agreement. Pic: Sudath Nishantha
Uber and Red Cross officials after signing the agreement. Pic: Sudath Nishantha

Uber Sri Lanka donated USD 200,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society last week to help vulnerable communities affected by the economic crisis. The donations will be used to distribute food and life-saving medicines across the country.

Over 10,000 people, including Uber delivery and driver partners and members of the larger community, will receive dry-ration packs containing daily essentials for a family of four. In addition, 15 rural hospitals serving over 30,000 individuals will receive emergency medication and related supplies purchased directly from international suppliers.

The partnership was signed by Uber’s visiting global executive, Regional General Manager for Delivery in the APAC region, Saskia de Jongh and President, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Jagath Abeysinghe. General Manager, Uber Sri Lanka, Bhavna Dadlani Jayawardena and Executive officer Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Colombo Branch, Kumari Kothalawala.

Regional General Manager for Delivery, Uber APAC, Saskia de Jongh said, “We are committed to helping Sri Lanka and the communities that we serve. We recognise this is a difficult time for the country, and we are pleased to be able to support it via this partnership with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. Sri Lanka and its people are full of potential, and both will emerge stronger from this crisis.”

President, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Jagath Abeysinghe said, “Uber has embarked on a timely initiative to assist the most vulnerable people of Sri Lanka by providing financial assistance during this economic crisis.

The trust in Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to deliver their aspirations prove that the Society has continued to work for the most vulnerable in its time of need. Such partnerships as this are vital.”

Uber Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society partnered during the pandemic to support the country’s vaccination drive.

Uber donated 50,000 free rides to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to transport frontline healthcare workers, elderly and citizens from vulnerable communities to vaccination hubs. Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 15 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has been carrying out operations since 1936. With a volunteer network across 25 districts, it aims to build resilience, alleviate the suffering of vulnerable communities, and create a safer environment for those exposed to disasters, emergencies and social exclusion. 

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