UNICEF Iran and Unilever Iran sign contract towards improving hygiene status of ‎vulnerable children ‎

Tehran, 30 November 2021 – Unilever Iran and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), signed a contract to improve the hygiene status of vulnerable children and their families in Sistan and Baluchestan province in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The signing of this contract which took place in UNICEF’s Office in Tehran, will facilitate access of the target communities to services and facilities to safeguard and improve their health and hygiene.

Unilever, one of the largest producers of detergents in the world, under this contract and in line with the goal of supporting and improving the health of vulnerable communities, commits itself to donating 40,000 bottles of its Domestos thick bleach to the medical universities of Iranshahr and Zabol cities in November 2021. This initiative is in coordination with UNICEF Iran and the Ministry of Interior, and targeted at disadvantaged families through the health network in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

During this ceremony, Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated his appreciation for this support extended to the most vulnerable children and families in Sistan and - Baluchestan Province and expressed hope that the cooperation would be expanded in future to other UNICEF-supported programmes for children in Iran. “For more than 50 years, UNICEF globally has recognized the critical role of the private sector in achieving results for children, “ said Dr. Nandy adding: “In Iran, we welcome such tripartite partnerships involving UNICEF, the Government and the private sector to achieve more sustainable results for children including the most vulnerable.”

Unilever Iran, Caucasia and Central Asia Countries General Manager, Kamuran Ucar, elaborating on one of the most important commitments of this international company regarding cooperation with the stakeholder chain, including businesses, society, and governmental and non-governmental bodies toward creating real change in the health sector, expressed: “Globally, Unilever is working to improve awareness and create better public access to necessary hygiene facilities, in order to realize its fundamental goal of promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, it is our honor and privilege that we at Unilever Iran are able to make use of capacities and resources at hand to work towards decreasing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the underprivileged, especially children, while closely cooperating with related bodies and officials.”

Similarly, Ghazaleh Saddad, Unilever Iran Homecare Lead, during the ceremony, stressed upon such cooperations as continuous and stated that one of Unilever Iran’s priorities in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sector is to cooperate with the country’s hygiene and education systems to create joint programs in line with improving children’s health and access to equal hygiene facilities.

As per this contract, grounds will be prepared to make use of capabilities of economic corporations in line with COVID-19 Emergency Response of UNICEF Iran Office.