OUR STRATEGIC COMMITMENT TO SOLIDARITY AND HUMANITY
Poured by
Lambro Patce
“Each of us feels that what we do is just a drop in the ocean. But if we do nothing, the ocean will be poorer for that one drop.”
Mother Teresa
Skopje, August 26, 1910 – Calcutta, India, September 5, 1997
One of the universal principles of solidarity and humanity is based on protecting human lives and health, preventing and alleviating human suffering in times of disasters, catastrophes and armed conflicts, providing respect and dignity to all human beings, working on preventing diseases and promoting the health and social welfare of people, and encouraging voluntary engagement and readiness to offer assistance whenever needed.
Providing aid and humaneness are Pivara Skopje’s main strategic commitments. 90 years already, the company is constantly reaffirming its position of a responsible member of the community it belongs to. This has been confirmed on many occasions based on the long-term close cooperation we have established with the Macedonian Red Cross, providing humanitarian aid and logistics in many humanitarian activities in the case of natural disasters, accidents and exercises. Our partnership continues through common activities aimed at constant education of our employees in the area of prevention and protection of health at their work places and wider, in the community where they live.
Thousands of people lost their homes in the horrific storms and floods that hit Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014. The flood cut off many roads and ruined many bridges, many schools were closed, and entire cities were facing electricity outages. Pivara Skopje joined the humanitarian activities undertaken by the Macedonian Red Cross, providing financial assistance and packages of drinking water for the people affected by the disaster.
In 2015, nature has once more unleashed all of its power. The most critical events took place in February, when the unusually high temperatures for that time of the year caused snow to melt, which combined with heavy rains, led to rivers overflowing their banks, causing severe floods across the entire territory of the Republic of Macedonia.
Numerous municipalities faced cut offs of road infrastructure and power outages. Many homes and agricultural lands were flooded, causing important material damages, especially in Veles, Shtip, Strumica, Bitola and Kumanovo regions. Unfortunately, such devastating images repeated again in August. Severe storms with wind and heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in Tetovo region, unfortunately, causing five casualties and major material damages. In both cases, Pivara Skopje was more than ready to cooperate with the Macedonian Red Cross and provide support by donating packages of drinking water, as well as logistical support pursuant to the needs of the organization.
During the crisis affecting the regions hit by the floods and the temporary displaced persons from Kumanovo, Pivara Skopje provided active support by donating aid and providing logistical assistance through distribution of our humanitarian aid. The Macedonian Red Cross, in the capacity of our strategic partner, was on the very spot of the disaster to provide the much needed aid.
As a consequence of the wars taking place in the Middle East, on the road towards better future, our country has become a main transit corridor of migrants coming from south, from Greece, going north, to Serbia, on their way to the final destination: Western European countries. Many heartbreaking stories, many tragedies and shocking fates of displaced, weary people who have lost their homes and their loved ones. Once again, in close cooperation with the Macedonian Red Cross, Pivara Skopje has actively participated in providing logistical support on several occasions by means of providing timely aid and drinking water.
It would be improper to talk about humanity and fail to mention our long partnership with the Macedonian Red Cross and the Department of Transfusion Medicine, expressed through the highest level of solidarity- blood donation. It has been said that blood donation is the highest act of altruism and humaneness that any healthy person can do in their life. An act that has no price and can save someone’s life at some point. Blood donation may only by inspired by great love towards humanity and endless desire to help others. Our “Pivarci” are longstanding blood donors and Pivara Skopje is regularly hosting many blood donation activities.
We remain committed to supporting the Macedonian Red Cross when its needed the most, because we believe in humanity and solidarity to those people who need it the most.
