The PepsiCo Foundation has reached agreement with China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) -- which is part of the All China Women's Federation -- for a research and development initiative designed to expand availability of safe drinking water for the people of Western and Central China. The Foundation is making the first grant of $500,000 for what it expects will be a $1.5 million (over 12mm RMB) contribution by the Foundation to fund the initiative over a three-year period.

The first phase of program will focus on improving the quantity and quality of water installations in Guansu and Sichuan provinces. The project will help CWDF respond to the region's water scarcity with an array of water management options.. Expansion into Shaanxi, Ningxia and Guangxi provinces is contemplated for the second phase of the initiative.

"Thousands of households and tens of thousands of villagers will directly benefit form this partnership, which will also fuel the development of local economy as well as health and sanitation conditions," said Jackie Millan, director of the PepsiCo Foundation. "We see this as an important step toward what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership -- one that will bring the vital resource of water to many more people, and support the Chinese government's admirable efforts to raise living standards in the western regions."

The contributions, which will come from both PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation, will include a donation of $1 million to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims, established by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, and an additional $1 million contribution to support recovery and rebuilding efforts carried out by other relief organizations.

“The earthquake has had tragic consequences for hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, said Mike White, PepsiCo International chairman and chief executive officer. “As a company with a longstanding commitment to Pakistan we appreciate the opportunity to provide some assistance to the victims at this very difficult time.”

The contribution to the President’s Relief Fund is expected to be presented next week in Islamabad by Saad Abdul-Latif, president of PepsiCo’s Middle East and Africa Region.

In addition to the $2 million provided by PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation, independent Pepsi-Cola bottlers in Pakistan have made financial contributions as well as donations of truckloads of water and PepsiCo beverages.

PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has offered its products through independent bottlers in Pakistan for more than 40 years.

• The PepsiCo Foundation has committed $2 million: $1 million for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which has launched the largest mobilization of resources in its history for a single natural disaster, and $1 million for the Salvation Army.
• These funds are an addition to The PepsiCo Foundation’s initial emergency $100,000 contribution to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, made immediately following news of the disaster.
• Water is being donated in coordination with Pepsi-Cola bottlers.
• Food and beverages are being supplied to the affected area through our long-time partner America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network.
• The PepsiCo Foundation is matching all employee contributions to the humanitarian agency of their choice.
• Given the number of employees in the affected area, PepsiCo has established the PepsiCo Associate Relief Fund to help all associates from the PepsiCo family of companies who have suffered severe loss. The dollars raised will be matched by the company.
• To further support displaced residents, PepsiCo has posted open job positions on the U.S. Department of Labor website http://www.jobsearch.org/katrinajobs.