The most vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic: the focus of Laboratorios Viñas’ Corporate Social Responsibility activities in 2020

2020 was a year that left a mark on us all because of the new social, economic and public health issues generated by the global pandemic. Collectively, our value systems changed and our charitable activities multiplied, all of us aware of the complicated situation many people were facing. At Laboratorios Viñas, we continued to support social projects around the world, as described in our annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

For years, Laboratorios Viñas has followed the maxim of its founder, Pedro Viñas: to do everything possible to guarantee the health and well-being of the most disadvantaged and, at the same time, commit to providing pharmaceutical solutions that improve people's well-being. In 2020, this challenge became even more difficult and meant undertaking front-line activities to respond to needs resulting from the public health emergency caused by SARS-CoV-2 and complying with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Action on four continents: more necessary than ever

In a year in which daily life turned upside down and we quickly had to face up to a new normal, healthcare needs multiplied, as did the need for social projects with a global impact. Key activities were therefore carried out to improve the situation, with no limit when it came to time or location.

EUROPE: our activities in Europe were focused on Spain and Greece.

a) SPAIN

• Collaboration with Cáritas. We have now been collaborating with Cáritas for ten years. In 2020, aid was directed to the SAE programme, a service that provides financial aid to meet urgent basic needs including food and housing. Over three months (the average period of assistance), 1,102 people living in 570 households were guaranteed the right to food and housing, thereby improving their living conditions.

• Food Bank Foundation. Last year, our activities focused on raising funds to buy products with high nutritional value. Given the public health emergency and economic crisis, there was a huge increase in the demand for food. In June 2020, record figures were reached; 162,458 people attended these food banks in just one month. With the collaboration of Laboratorios Viñas, a total of 40,130 kg of food was distributed to the most affected groups.

• First Magic Line hike. For the first time, some of our employees participated in this 10-km charity sponsored walk to collaborate with social projects organised by Obra Social de San Juan de Dios. The funds collected went towards promoting personal autonomy, equal opportunities and social inclusion .

• Technical and Humanism Foundation: activities to defeat cancer. Social and cultural activities were carried out to support the fight against cancer and improve the psychological well-being of patients. In addition, together with the Institute of Clinical Oncology (IDOC), educational activities were carried out on the subject of health, aimed especially at children.

• Trans Pyrenees Social Charitable Crossing. The aim of this activity was to promote the social inclusion and the autonomy of vulnerable young people, giving them communication, social and leadership skills. In 2020, Laboratorios Viñas took part in a new educational project, “The Chain of Life”, which seeks to share and deepen sustainable values. In total, 80 young people participated this year.

b) GREECE

• UNHCR. The aim of our collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency was to protect and help refugees and displaced persons in Greece, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and the fires that occurred in the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos. Healthcare and hygiene assistance was provided to a total of 2,063 families. In addition, 10 one-day health courses tailored to preventive measures were delivered, while water, sanitation and hygiene activities were also supported and 10 water and sanitation facilities were built, including community latrines and toilets. Living and safety conditions were thus improved for 115,000 refugees and migrants settled in Greece.

AFRICA

a) ZANZIBAR (Tanzania)

• Fundación Prandi, run by SEPEAP (Spanish Society of Outpatient Paediatrics and Primary Care). Laboratorios Viñas contributed to this foundation, as it does every year. In 2020, a charitable project led by the NED (Neurosurgery, Education and Development) Foundation was chosen: House of Hope on Zanzibar in Tanzania, whose objective is to help children with infantile hydrocephalus and spina bifida and offer preventive work and outpatient rehabilitative treatment with the aim of providing tools that improve patients’ recovery and quality of life. On this occasion, our contribution went towards the human, logistical and material resources necessary for the development of the centre.

b) ETHIOPIA

• AMREF HEALTH AFRICA. We cooperated with this NGO to reduce mortality in children under 5 years of age and in pregnant women in Afar, Ethiopia. Through various campaigns and activities, the project contributed to improving the public health system and the community's ability to deal with malnutrition. Some excellent results were achieved: medical examinations were performed on 2,150 women of reproductive age and 8,900 children; 177 women and 317 children under five received tetanus vaccinations; and 327 women and 88 men participated in awareness talks on healthy habits, COVID-19 prevention and nutrition and health during pregnancy.

c) SIERRA LEONE

• SEMERGEN (Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians). 9 social reintegration projects for young people at risk were supported as part of the Don Bosco Fambul programme, aimed at protecting and empowering the extremely vulnerable population: Don Bosco Mobile, Child Line, Child Line 323, Child Care Centre, Girls Shelter, Group Homes, Hope, Pademba Prison and Post Emergency. This project continues into 2021.

ASIA

a) INDIA

• JAL Association. Together with the JAL association, Laboratorios Viñas collaborated in projects to offer direct help to vulnerable people on the front line: food and hygiene products were distributed to the people most affected by covid-19. Social integration programmes for young people with disabilities and projects dedicated to education in marginal neighbourhoods and the fight against leprosy were halted to divert resources to the public health emergency. However, the Senior Home project, two shelters for homeless men and women, went ahead.

GLOBAL

• Farmamundi. Collaboration with this pharmaceutical NGO in health and humanitarian aid activities to respond to COVID-19 with provision of health supplies and food to cover basic needs. More than 107,000 people from 13 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America received health materials and prevention training from the organisation, with prevention and awareness activities related to the pandemic carried out in 7 countries in these regions.

• Oxfam-Intermón. The “Companies That Change Lives Affected by Covid-19” programme was continued, the objective of which is to support productive initiatives for economic sustainability and to contribute to development in countries in Africa and Latin America. Some figures: 4,200 producer families were helped, and 351 jobs were created, 66% of which went to women.

Laboratorios Viñas appreciates the work of all the essential service professionals who are on the front-line working tirelessly. We would also like to offer our condolences to all those who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19.