Unilever, Unicef partner to help Bangladesh fight Covid-19

Unilever has globally committed €50 million in product donation to global health bodies and most of these donations are directed to UNICEF and UNHCR to help those in most need.

Under the global partnership, Unilever and Unicef in Bangladesh are donating health and hygiene products to 25 government hospitals, workers of 30 tea gardens and to marginalised communities who lack to access hygiene products, reads a press release.

Unicef, in consultation with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), identified 25 government hospitals who are providing Covid-19 treatment all over Bangladesh for the Unilever product donation.

Of the 25 hospitals, eight hospitals including Kurmitola General Hospital, Kuwait Maitree Hospital, Dhaka Medical College & Hospital, Mugda Medical College and Hospital, etc. are from Dhaka alone, while the rest are from across the country.

On the other hand, tea garden workers are often among the marginalised and vulnerable members of society. They are particularly at risk during the coronavirus pandemic because they can have limited access to water, sanitation systems and health facilities.

Unicef has been working with Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA) over the years to improve tea workers conditions. As part of Unilever and Unicef’s collaboration, Unicef and BTA identified 30 tea estates and distributed cleaning and personal hygiene products for tea workers.

As part of this donation, Unilever is supporting Unicef’s efforts to enhance sanitation and hygiene through the donation of bar soaps to help slow the spread of the virus in rural community of Bangladesh. UNICEF will be distributing the bar soaps through their widespread WASH programme which is working to improve the hygiene of the vulnerable communities.

Kedar Lele, chairman and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd, said, “It is our responsibility to reach out to as many people as possible and help them in their fight against the virus.

“Considering the scale of the challenge and in order to address it at multiple levels, we are collaborating with the government, health institutions, implementation partners and civil society. Along with Unicef, we are committed to working with the government and making essentials like Lifebuoy soaps, Wheel detergent and Domex cleaners available across a wide geography which is the most critical need today,” he added.

Unicef’s Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Veera Mendonca said, “No one agency, organisation or sector can address the pandemic alone. Strategic collaboration between the public sector and businesses is critical during this crisis. This generous donation of hygiene products from Unilever supports Unicef’s Covid-19 response in Bangladesh.”