Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, has announced that its bauxite mining subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation is providing humanitarian and economic support to local communities in Guinea during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GAC’s support includes engaging local community members in the manufacture of soaps, face masks and other protection equipment to donate to local people, employees and sub-contractors; supplying medical equipment to the national health authority; and providing prevention awareness. Some 450 temporary jobs have been created by GAC’s COVID-19 community support project. With each worker in developing countries supporting seven family members on average according to the UN, the project is likely providing economic support to more than 3,000 individuals in the Boke Region.
Aissata Beavogui, director general and head of corporate social responsibility of GAC, said: “The UAE government is providing assistance to many countries in their fight against COVID-19, including Guinea. As a UAE-owned company and proud corporate citizen of Guinea, we are following this example and extending our support to our host communities during this challenging time not only on a humanitarian basis but most importantly supporting local economies through social entrepreneurship. We unfortunately have previous experience of contributing to the fight against pandemics from the Ebola crisis five years ago, and we are putting what we learned then into action now.”
