Bermudian-based drinks giant Bacardi Ltd has donated $100,000 to Give India to help the country in its fight against Covid-19.

The company said the funding is earmarked to provide immediate assistance to local relief agencies working to mitigate the worsening impact of the coronavirus pandemic in India.

It added that the Bacardi team on the ground in India has provided funding for oxygen concentrators to be sent to a local NGO offering humanitarian aid to marginalised communities.

To support its employees, in-market, Bacardi said it offers free access to confidential counselling to ensure wellbeing is top of mind during these challenging times.

Vijay Subramaniam, regional president of Bacardi in Africa, Middle East and Asia, said: “As a family-owned company for nearly 160 years, we have always been committed to supporting our people and their communities.

“We know this moment is incredibly trying but if this past year and the pandemic have taught us anything it’s the power of coming together to overcome challenges.

“We are committed to helping the people and communities in India who have supported Bacardi for many years.”

Bacardi said it has had a presence in India since 1997 and today employs more than 300 people in the market.

This year, Bacardi India received its third consecutive certification for “Great Place to Work” in India – a nod to a strong company culture and its commitment to taking care of its people, the company said.

In early 2020, the company said 14 Bacardi sites across the globe, working with local partners, helped produce more than 400,000 gallons of hand sanitisers, as demand exceeded supply.

Across the sites, Bacardi said it harnessed its global production power, resources, and processes to supply the much needed alcohol essential for the increased production of hand sanitisers.

India was among the countries that received donations of hand sanitisers, produced with the help of Bacardi, for distribution to local organisations and emergency responders.