Originally Posted: April 8, 2020 By the De Beers Group and Support Your Local Jeweler
De Beers Group is contributing $2,500,000 across Botswana and Namibia to aid the response to the COVID-19 crisis, supporting community leaders, healthcare professionals, and governments in countries and communities in which they live and work.
Split between national relief funds and community and logistical support, this funding will form part of their wider efforts and commitment to stand by their partners when it is needed most.
“We have refocused our business in our host communities to support the response to the pandemic, and our priorities are clear: prepare communities for the crisis, support the emergency response and be a partner in economic recovery,” said their CEO, Bruce Cleaver. “Our partnerships with the people of Botswana and Namibia span decades. We are proud to stand together now in this moment of crisis, and we will stand together as their partners on the road to recovery and renewal.”
De Beers Group is a 50/50 joint venture partner with both Botswana and Namibia in the recovery and sorting of rough diamonds. Their contribution in both countries forms part of a larger effort across all four of their producing countries including Canada and South Africa to support governments and communities in the procurement of medical supplies, logistical support, vulnerability assessment support plans, food security for vulnerable households, water supply to communities, community COVID-19 awareness and education, and local clinical support.
De Beers Group continues to engage regularly with government and community leaders to aid their response to the crisis, and further announcements will be made regarding their contribution to response efforts in Canada and South Africa.