The Starbucks Foundation Supports Communities Impacted by Floods in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In response to the recent floods and landslides in South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Starbucks Foundation is providing a disaster response grant to Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI). 

The floods have caused significant loss of life and other devastation, particularly in Bushushu and Nyamukubi villages, which are near many coffee-growing families, including farmers who are participating in Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices program.  

The Starbucks Foundation’s support will help ECI and its local partners provide for immediate needs, such as critical access to clean, safe drinking water. We’ll continue to stay in touch with ECI and other stakeholders as the extent of the tragedy and plans for recovery and rebuilding come together.  

Starbucks believes in contributing positively to communities, including building resiliency in coffee growing communities around the world.  We source coffee from Africa, the Asia-Pacific as well as Latin America and the Caribbean, and look to support coffee growing communities in the wake of disasters to help their recovery and ensure the future of coffee for all. 

ECI is accepting further donations for its relief support here. 

The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. 

Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) is a a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the United States that was founded by Ben Affleck in 2010.  Starbucks and ECI have been working together to support coffee-growing communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2014.