Hindustan Unilever has contributed over one crore soaps via UNICEF to frontline workers and vulnerable communities to help fight COVID-19

NEW DELHI, 24 March 2021 – Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), in addition to its long-term global partnership with UNICEF, has contributed over 1 crore soaps and sanitizers to vulnerable communities to support the country’s response to COVID-19. This contribution has been made in 18 states, including tribal areas, flood hit regions, COVID hit villages and slums, remote tea estates amongst others.

Ensuring access to hygiene products is the first step towards driving handwashing behaviour, especially when the country is still battling COVID infected cases every day. Keeping the objective of Swachhata for all in mind, HUL and UNICEF have reached out to remote areas to help fight the pandemic.

Commenting on the initiative, Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director, Hindustan Unilever Limited said, “We firmly believe in the power of hand hygiene to fight coronavirus at the source. Our collaboration with UNICEF has enabled us to support various government initiatives and NGOs in their efforts to curb community transmission of COVID-19, our products will continue to shield communities in need across the country. Our supply chain teams have worked extensive hours to ensure that no one is left behind in these times.” 

Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India said, “In order to overcome COVID-19, we have to make handwashing accessible to all. It requires a culture of hand hygiene for which all – international partners, national governments, public and private sectors, and civil society need to come together. We are grateful to HUL for their significant contribution to support vulnerable and marginalized communities in COVID-19 hotspots.”

In March 2020, HUL committed INR 100 crore towards helping India fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, UNICEF and HUL came together for a mass-communication campaign titled '#BreakTheChain #VirusKiKadiTodo' to fight COVID-19. The Campaign combined the marketing expertise and reach of HUL with the technical knowledge of UNICEF to create engaging communication tools that encouraged people to change behaviours and stay safe during the pandemic.

To date, HUL has undertaken various initiatives to ensure the safety of people and communities, sourcing products and ensuring business continuity for consumers to have access to essential items at a time they need it the most. The initiatives include large scale awareness campaigns, providing free sanitation and hygiene products to COVID-19 frontline workers and to the under-served sections of the society. HUL also committed to upgrading health care facilities in hospitals and testing centres and setting-up isolation centres to help local authorities curb COVID-19 spread.