Covid-19: GBH and its subsidiaries stand in solidarity
As part of its efforts to combat Covid-19, GBH and its subsidiaries, like many companies, resolved to step into action to help the wider community. In a spirit of unanimous solidarity, working in conjunction with local organisations in territories and regions where the group has operations, they joined forces to do their bit. The main goal was to come to the aid of the local population by supplying masks and hand sanitiser. They led other actions to bring support to the medical teams in each region and help the disadvantaged, in particular by making donations to local food banks. Our priority was also to protect employees and customers: an internal set of Covid-19 best practices was put in place.
Here are some examples of actions:
GBH is providing 1,350,000 masks including 450,000 FFP2-type masks to health professionals in Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique and Réunion Island. The masks were divided between the territories: 600,000 for Réunion Island, 300,000 for Guadeloupe, 300,000 for Martinique and 150,000 for French Guiana. These masks were delivered to the French Regional Health Agency (ARS) which will allocate them to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare workers on a priority basis.
What’s more, partnerships were fostered with the group’s distilleries to produce hand sanitiser. Over 30,000 litres of hand sanitiser was supplied free of charge to the health and safety services in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Réunion Island. These products were delivered to the ARS in charge of their distribution to health professionals.
During lockdown, the group’s leasing companies supplied a loan vehicle to hospital staff in the event their own vehicle broke down.
In Martinique, Carrefour Martinique increased its support to the food bank by donating a tonne of food products.
Chocolat Elot is supporting children in hospital and the children of health workers at La Meynard university hospital by donating Easter chocolates.
Decathlon donated 180 Easybreath masks to the university hospital and Le Carbet hospital.
Yves Rocher supplied hydration kits to the university hospital.
Mr. Bricolage participated in the manufacture of 600 visors by supplying 600 eyelets and 30 sets of PPE to the university hospital.
Autobam gave 4,000 pairs of gloves, 405 sets of overalls, protective glasses, face shields and disposable masks to Martinique university hospital.
In Guadeloupe, CAMA loaned four vehicles and donated lots of PPE kits to the Red Cross.
Carrefour Destreland gave Easter chocolates to child in-patients in hospitals and clinics.
On Réunion Island, Carrefour Réunion delivered over 200 hot meals a day to the Red Cross for a whole month. And over 35,000 Easter chocolates to healthcare professionals and in-patients at Réunion Island university hospital, GHER and Mascareignes food bank to support islanders facing hard times and all of its employees.
The Grands Centres shopping centres had to adapt and make daily innovations to manage operations during the pandemic. Lots of prevention and protection initiatives were implemented during the pandemic. To remind people of social and physical distancing measures, new messages were displayed via various media and an audio message was broadcast. To protect employees and customers, new equipment such as hand gel distributors, barriers at entrances and exits and floor markings were implemented. To ensure the regulations in force concerning visitor numbers and information display, a computer platform and people counting cameras were installed to perform instant checks and control capacity. In the event the maximum threshold was exceeded, text messages and emails were sent to the different departments to implement door regulation procedures.
BPA, in conjunction with the police, distributed all of its FFP2-type masks, around 300 pieces, to Saint-Denis university hospital. The company also gave nurses 400 vehicle protection kits and gloves and also helped fire officers by donating surface protective film, masking tape, gloves and other items to help them protect their equipment and staff.
In French Guiana, to guarantee optimal protection of administrative personnel and the public, the management of Guyane Automobile went from town hall to town hall distributing masks and hand sanitiser. The villages of Cayenne, Macouria, Rémire-Montjoly, Roura, Kourou, Sinnamary, Mana and Saint-Laurent all received supplies. Consequently, all civil servants unable to work remotely because they are in contact with the public as well as members of the local population received useful PPE equipment.
On 9 April, Carrefour Matoury and Contact signed a charter with the IFIVEG (inter-professional association of fruit and vegetable production chains) for the distribution of fruit and veg to the group’s stores. This agreement aims to reinforce and develop the agricultural production chains and promote food autonomy in French Guiana. Carrefour Matoury and Contact have stepped up charity initiatives, such as donating around 8,500 euros’ worth of Easter chocolates to Cayenne hospital and the Épicerie Solidaire.
In Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Distillers supplied hand sanitiser and implemented various aid actions.
In Africa, Citroën maintained its regular opening hours to help its customers in the event of emergency or breakdown.
Kia Maroc introduced a home assistance service and organised replacement vehicles for healthcare professionals and provided logistical support for the transportation of goods to disadvantaged members of the community.
SOCIDA: Uber adapted its technology and signed a partnership with the Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Health and Socida to offer free trips to healthcare workers in Abidjan. Health workers at the three public hospitals and the university hospitals in Treichville, Angré and Cocody were therefore able to make their way to their different places of work easily, comfortably and safely thanks to this partnership funded by Uber and Socida.
