We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations toward humanitarian and social projects. As a healthcare company, we commit to building stronger and healthier communities by improving human services and support systems, especially for those who need them most. We work with local authorities and partners who share our commitment to long-term solutions and who are prepared to contribute, for example, by providing essential infrastructure or local resources.
Partnership with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
We have supported the
In 2017, Roche contributed to ICRC projects in Mali that aim to improve the access to clean water for over 630,000 people. These projects built and upgraded water supply systems in violence-affected communities for personal consumption, for livestock and for agricultural use.
Transnet-Phelophepa Healthcare Trains
phelophepaThe Transnet-Phelophepa trains are mobile healthcare clinics that travel nine months out of the year to areas of rural South Africa, where there is just one doctor for every 5,000 patients. Phelophepa, which translates to “good, clean health” is owned and operated by Transnet Foundation, with Roche being Phelophepa’s main external sponsor and providing funding since the initiative started in 1994.
The Phelophepa trains travel to up to 70 remote communities and provide free healthcare services and education to more than 460,000 local residents each year. From modest beginnings as a three-car train in 1994, the service was expanded to two 18-coach trains by 2012.
The Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust
In 2006, the Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act) was established to manage voluntary financial contributions from Roche employees. Fully funded and supported by Roche and its employees, Re&Act is an independent trust that supports community improvement projects worldwide, with a focus on children’s initiatives. Re&Act has helped build infrastructures like child-friendly schools and day centers in underserved areas, such as Malawi and Ethiopia. Additionally, given the deficit of teachers in Malawi due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Re&Act supported the building and launch of a teachers training college in southern Malawi that has the capacity to train 560 teachers a year.