Health and Inclusion
Organisation of a Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador
Commitment
Since 2021
Partners
Partners Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health, Ecuadorian Association of Pineapple Exporters Terrasol, Agroeden and Agroselvatica
Target Country
Ecuador
Amount of funding
€2,625
Context
During the summer of 2021, in coordination with SIIM’s producer-partners and the Ecuadorian association of pineapple exporters, the Louis Omer-Decugis Foundation helped organise and fund a major vaccination campaign for Terrasol SA agricultural workers, their families and neighbouring communities in the province of Santo Domingo.
Vaccinating the entire population against Covid-19, which is a national priority for the Ecuadorian government, required the active involvement of the private sector in support of public authorities, especially in rural areas that lacked adequate logistical resources. Mindful of this need, the Foundation stepped in to fund the purchase of 10,000 syringes and 60% of the certificates needed to organise a vaccination campaign on the eight farms producing Terrasol pineapples in Ecuador for SIIM, the main subsidiary of the Omer-Decugis & Cie Group.
In total, the campaign conducted by a team of doctors and nurses mandated by the Ministry of Public Health enabled 3,000 people to be vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine.
Our products from Ecuador
TERRASOL “carbon neutral” PINEAPPLES FROM ECUADOR
Ecuador is the Group’s preferred region for its Extra Sweet pineapples (since 2006).
Grown at zero latitude, at an altitude of 700 metres on the Pacific side of the Andes, Ecuador’s Extra Sweet pineapples (100% of the Group’s pineapples by boat and 44.2% of volumes by air) grow in exceptional soil. The rich volcanic soil in which they are produced and the country’s stable climate provide an ideal production environment.
These geographical features, combined with the technical excellence and constant attention of the production teams (TERRASOL, created in 1961, is the oldest pineapple producer in Latin America), make it possible to guarantee their tasty and unique flavour throughout the year.
In 2021, Ecuador’s Extra Sweet pineapple became the world’s first carbon-neutral pineapple, from plantations in Ecuador to facilities in France.
SELVATICA BANANAS FROM ECUADOR
Ecuador is the Group’s preferred region for its bananas (since 1999). This choice is motivated by the many qualities the country has to offer: a high level of political stability, a dollar economy and exceptional geographical conditions, as well as excellent infrastructure and the largest range of agricultural freight capacity in Latin America (direct line Ecuador-Dunkirk).
Ecuadorian Cavendish bananas benefit from unrivalled know-how – Ecuador is the world’s leading banana producer/exporter – and expert logistics, which is essential for the preservation of the fruit during transport.
The bananas also benefit from exceptional terroir (volcanic soil) and exceptional weather conditions (ideal rainfall, constant heat), thus guaranteeing produce of consistent quality all year round.
Produced in Ecuador, Selvatica bananas are certified and organic and are recognised for their quality and their commitment to social responsibility.
In 2021, SIIM participated in the creation of Agroselvatica, an Ecuadorian company that acquired its first banana plantation, “Hacienda Santa Cecilia”, with an area of 67 hectares and an annual production of 4,000 tonnes, located in the golden triangle of banana production in Ecuador.
Other health and inclusion projects
FUNDING OF THE PURCHASE OF MEDICINES FOR COUNTRIES IN AFRICA
Treating childhood cancer in Africa
2021