Arizona emergency officials and a large Southwestern Coca-Cola bottler have teamed up to send 30,000 liters of water to the Navajo Nation amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The shipment arrived Wednesday morning at the fairgrounds in Window Rock, the Navajo capital. The tribe has been particularly hard-hit by the disease and has experienced shortages of water, food and other supplies.
“The Navajo Nation is very thankful for the coordination of Governor Ducey and Swire Coca-Cola to contribute bottled water for our Navajo people,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez in a press release. “It’s through great partnerships such as this, that we will overcome COVID-19. We are stronger and more resilient when we unite and work together.”
Utah-based Swire Coca-Cola donated the two truckloads of water and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs coordinated the delivery logistics.
There have been frequent water shortages in Navajo Nation communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Many households lacked running water before the outbreak and residents had to haul it to their homes. The health emergency has complicated accessing water.
“Aquaman” and “Game of Thrones” actor Jason Momoa also donated 20,000 cans of water to the Navajo Nation through his company.