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De Beers contributes £2m to Botswana and Namibia

De Beers Group has announced that it will contribute $2.5m (£2m) across Botswana and Namibia to aid the response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in these countries.

The jewellery group said it is a “50/50 joint venture” partner with both Botswana and Namibia in the recovery and sorting of rough diamonds. 

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The contribution forms part of a larger effort with its two other producing countries, Canada and South Africa.

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Across these four countries, De Beers is supporting governments and communities in acquiring medical supplies, logistical support, vulnerability assessment support plans, food security for vulnerable households, water supply to communities, community awareness and education, and local clinical support.

Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group said: “With our contribution of $2,500,000, De Beers is supporting the unprecedented efforts of healthcare professionals, community leaders and all those confronting Covid-19 in the countries and communities in which we live and work.

“We have refocused our business in our host communities to support the response to the pandemic and our priorities are clear: prepare communities for the crisis, support the emergency response and be a partner in economic recovery.”

He added: “We have long-standing partnerships with the people of Botswana and Namibia spanning decades. 

“The men and women of De Beers are proud to stand with them now in this moment of crisis and we will stand with them as their partners on the road to recovery and renewal.”

De Beers Group also said it has designed a Community Response Plan (CRP) to provide the “most effective and relevant support” to these communities. 

The plan has been developed through engagement with community, traditional and faith leaders, and government agencies to “understand their needs and ensure De Beers Group is providing the right support at the right time, both during the pandemic and into the vital economic recovery phase”.

The group will continue to “engage regularly” with government and community leaders to aid their response to the crisis.

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