Added to the already-complex Venezuelan situation is the coronavirus pandemic. Among the list of scarce items in the country is alcohol, a basic sanitary product in preventing further spread of the virus.
In this context, Santa Teresa, the iconic Venezuelan rum brand, allocated 60 percent of its alcohol production to the manufacture of antiseptic alcohol.
ANDRÉS CHUMACEIRO
Business Unit Director, Santa Teresa (Venezuela)
“Santa Teresa's distillery has always had the capacity to produce alcohol, not only for our aging process, but for industrial processes where alcohol is distilled and used in parts of the supply chain by various industries, among them pharmaceuticals and hospitals.”
In just 10 days, the team at Santa Teresa got to work to make their product available to citizens in different commercial establishments. They have also made important donations.
ANDRÉS CHUMACEIRO
Business Unit Director, Santa Teresa (Venezuela)
“Donations of thousands of gallons of alcohol have been registered. They have gone to authorities and local health care systems. For example, all three municipalities where the company is present and the two neighboring municipalities are being disinfected with this donated alcohol. The cities' public spaces, streets and boulevards are being sanitized with the alcohol donated by Santa Teresa.”
The first units were donated to public health networks and to the National Hygiene Institute, where the country's Covid-19 tests are done.
They say the best way to face this emergency is together.
ANDRÉS CHUMACEIRO
Business Unit Director, Santa Teresa (Venezuela)
“We can either win as a team or lose as individuals. That's why we've asked each of our partners to be in daily contact with their work teams. That way they can understand the reality.”
This is yet another example showing that when institutions lack the capacity to act in moments of crisis, the initiatives of regular citizens have the power to offer effective solutions.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: Claudia Torres
