PepsiCo Donates Gatorade And $750,000 To Communities Impacted By Hurricane Matthew

PepsiCo is making a global impact on the communities that were hit by Hurricane Matthew by providing 200,000 bottles of Gatorade to cholera victims in Haiti, and the PepsiCo Foundation is donating $750,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts.

The company is working with the Haitian Ministry of Health through the non-government organizations Partners in Health and Heifer International to provide resources for the impacted communities that are dealing with the devastating aftermath of the hurricane, according to a press release.

The lack of sanitary water for more than 1 million people has caused concerns over cholera outbreaks — a diarrheal disease that causes severe dehydration that can be deadly if left untreated, according to the World Health Organization — which has had 1,421 reported cases recently.

Gatorade, the sports drink filled with electrolytes and carbohydrates, can play a vital role in rehabilitating cholera victims who need to absorb vitamins and retain water after experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. The Gatorade will be delivered to Haiti through Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The aftermath of Hurricane Matthew also caused severe flooding in U.S. states due to rivers overflowing and dams collapsing. The American Red Cross is assisting in the communities by providing shelter, food, and supplies, and can continue to do so with funding such as the donation made by the PepsiCo Foundation.

"We're extremely grateful for our partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation as we work together to provide people affected by Hurricane Matthew a safe place to stay and comfort during this difficult time," Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, said in a statement.