Arla sends aid to Liberia
Arla has donated more than 9,000 litres of Asda longlife milk to victims of the civil war in Liberia, West Africa.
The donation will set sail on the world's largest charity hospital ship, Anastasis which travels to the war-torn county from Scotland in September and has been docked in Dundee gathering donations for its mission.
Ann Gloag, who is on the international board of Mercy Ships and received Arla's donation, explained that the ship is crewed by approximately 300 volunteers from all backgrounds who provide surgery, dental care, immunization programmes, fresh water wells, agricultural assistance and much more.
"After 14 years of civil war, the whole of Liberia is suffering from a lack of health care, sanitation and access to fresh water. It is estimated that 500,000 citizens have been internally displaced and there are an estimated 300,000 people in camps in the capital city, Monrovia," said Ann.
"We are very grateful that Arla Foods and their friends at ASDA have been so generous. Their donation of 9,000 litres of long-life milk will supply the ship and patients for its next voyage starting later this year.
"This and other donations of vital supplies from around Scotland will ensure that Mercy Ships will be able to continue relieving the suffering and medical conditions of hundreds of people, especially women and children, in many parts of Africa," she added.
Neil Davidson, chief executive of Arla Foods UK plc, said: "We are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause. This is in line with Arla's long-term commitment to assist the communities in which we operate."
A representative from ASDA in Scotland, Allan Miller added: "The ASDA stores in Scotland are very happy to be working with Arla on such a worthy cause."
Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.
Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.
Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.