Diageo donates ethyl alcohol to help combat COVID-19 in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE,April 9,2020 -- Diageo,a global leader in beverage alcohol,has pledged to donate neutral spirit - a 96% strength ethyl alcohol used primarily in production of alcohol beverages,in support of efforts in Southeast Asia to tackle the challenge of COVID-19.

Scientists researching innovation for Diageo - a global leader in beverage alcohol

Governments and communities in Southeast Asia,like the rest of the world,are racing against time to stop the spread of COVID-19. As these efforts enter a critical phase,medical supplies and equipment continue to be in short supply in public institutions like healthcare facilities and schools.

Diageo Southeast Asia will donate 60,000 litres of neutral spirit and make it available at no cost to governments and local manufacturers in the Philippines,Vietnam and Myanmar,to help overcome shortages in their healthcare systems. This initiative is estimated to support the cleaning and disinfection needs of public healthcare institutions,catering to vulnerable and at-risk groups in local communities.

This latest effort follows Diageo's earlier global announcement on 23 March 2020 regarding its pledge to donate Grain Neutral Spirit to the UK,Ireland,Italy,the USA,Brazil,Kenya,India and Australia,enabling the creation of eight million hand sanitisers for frontline medical workers in countries where Diageo has major distilling operations.

Apurvi Sheth,Managing Director,Southeast Asia,Diageo said: "As Southeast Asia steps up its efforts to stop the tide of infections,Diageo hopes to do what we can to help communities here and assistin the disinfection of hospitals and other environments to help keep our invaluable front-line workers safe across Southeast Asia."

Diageo Philippines General Manager Kavita Hans adds,"Alcohol sanitizers have been identified as a key tool in the fight against COVID-19 and during these challenging times,we want to do what we can for our communities. In the Philippines and elsewhere with Diageo,we believe that we are always stronger together."

Tran Bao Minh,General Manager of Diageo Vietnam adds "We stand ready to support the Vietnamese people and contribute to efforts to help medical workers who are at the front line in the battle against COVID-19."

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits,beer and wine categories.These brands include Johnnie Walker,Smirnoff,Cîroc,Captain Morgan,Baileys,Don Julio,Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company,and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).Diageo's focus in Asia Pacific is to grow in both developed and emerging markets across a broad portfolio ranging from international and local spirits to ready to drink formats and beer,with a clear long-term strategy focuses on key consumer occasions and categories which inspires consumers to drink better,not more.

For more information about Diageo,our people,our brands,and performance,visit us at www.diageo.com.Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource,www.DRINKiQ.com,for information,initiatives,and ways to share best practice.

Photo - /20200409/2773433-1?lang=0