LIXIL’s SATO brand joins UNICEF to accelerate sanitation and hygiene access for over 3.5 million people in India
‘Make a Splash!’ partnership focuses on reaching people in Bihar & Odisha with improved toilets and handwashing facilities
LIXIL, maker of pioneering water and housing products, and UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organization, have announced the expansion of the ‘Make a Splash!’ partnership into India to build a viable sanitation and hygiene ecosystem serving 3.5 million people. SATO, part of LIXIL and provider of affordable toilets and handwashing solutions, will be spearheading efforts to expand the availability, affordability, and quality of viable sanitation goods and services, and will jointly work with UNICEF to mobilize communities and build sanitation markets in the states of Bihar and Odisha.
This expansion builds on the success of the partnership’s first three years, which resulted in improved sanitation and hygiene for 2.9 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. In its fourth year of “Make a Splash!” the scope has now been expanded to cover India along with Indonesia and Nigeria, three of some of the world’s most populous countries.
The partnership’s scope of activities over the course of the two-year program will primarily focus on:
Hand Hygiene: Strengthening markets and services through addressing gaps and promoting innovative products, such as with the recently-launched handwashing station, SATO Tap.
Retrofitting Toilets: Informing, designing, and implementing programs that promote safely managed sanitation through the use of innovative toilet solutions, and training sanitation workers/masons to provide skilled services for sustained management and use.
Through demand generated by UNICEF’S sanitation and hygiene activities, and through SATO’s supply of solutions that are designed based on user needs and preferences, the partnership will help ensure sanitation products are available at affordable prices for the people who need them. In addition, it will focus on supporting government policies and regulations and helping develop markets by enhancing local supply chains and training toilet installers.
Mr. Amit Konlade, Leader, Global SCM & Operations, LIXIL said “In Odisha & Bihar, many rural families lack access to safe sanitation and hygiene. Through this partnership, we now have the opportunity to tackle this challenge by introducing SATO’s handwashing and toilet products, which offer reliable solutions for people with limited access to water. We are excited to join UNICEF in strengthening the market and accelerating access to affordable toilets and hand-washing solutions for all.”
Welcoming the partnership, Nicolas Osbert, Chief of WASH, UNICEF India said “In India, access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation is critical for promoting healthy lives, especially of vulnerable women and children. UNICEF is proud to partner with Lixil, in improving access to innovative and scalable sanitation and hygiene solutions to over 3.5 million people across Bihar and Odisha with strategic advocacy for strengthening the enabling environment, capacity strengthening of critical stakeholders and awareness-raising interventions for safe sanitation and sustainable hand hygiene infrastructure and practices.”
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About LIXIL
LIXIL (TSE Code: 5938) makes pioneering water and housing products that solve everyday, real-life challenges, making better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere. Drawing on our Japanese heritage, we create world-leading technology and innovate to make high quality products that transform homes. But the LIXIL difference is how we do this; through meaningful design, an entrepreneurial spirit, a dedication to improving accessibility for all, and responsible business growth. Our approach comes to life through industry leading brands, including INAX, GROHE, American Standard, and TOSTEM. Approximately 55,000 colleagues operating in more than 150 countries are proud to make products that touch the lives of more than a billion people every day.
SATO, part of LIXIL, is a social business that is empowering communities so they can create a better life and a brighter future through improved sanitation and hygiene. We are dedicated to tackling the global sanitation challenge by offering innovative, aspirational and affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions, empowering communities around the world who lack access to water and sewerage infrastructure. SATO leverages local and global partnerships to bring the most value to communities. For more information, visit: https://www.sato.lixil.com/.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
UNICEF India relies on the support and donations from businesses and individuals to sustain and expand health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection programmes for all girls and boys in India. Support us today to help every child survive and thrive!
UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
For more information on UNICEF India and its work visit https://www.unicef.org/india/. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn
