Pakistan: Lifebuoy Hygiene Awareness Programmes

Mahfooz Pakistan

Lifebuoy's goal is to provide affordable and accessible hygiene and health solutions that enable people to lead a life without fear of hygiene anxieties and health consequences. Consistent in Lifebuoy's 110+ year history. The brand's core promise of protection and a commitment to support life through unbeatable protection is at the heart of the brand name itself.

Over 230,000 children die a year because of water borne diseases, such as diarrhea and typhoid. The easiest and most affordable prevention method is hand washing. For years Lifebuoy has been the No.1 trusted protector of Pakistan with an endeavour to improve the lives of millions by spreading the message of health and hygiene; and continues in this role with renewed vigour and zeal to build a happier, cleaner Pakistan.

Lifebuoy has always played a supportive role in times of crisis, helping to prevent the spread of germs and disease. Millions of soap bars have been distributed Pakistan wide to partners such as Save the Children, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross to support relief operations as and when needed. Lifebuoy have also in the past, partnered with UNICEF to train teams and send them to earthquake hit areas for relief and health education.

Lifebuoy has been working with rural communities and educating them on the importance hand washing for over five years now. Through their Mahfooz Pakistan programme they have created seven million impressions and reached over 55 towns spreading awareness of the need to stay germ free and advocating the need to wash hands throughout the day.

Lifebuoy & Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)

Unilever-Lifebuoy and PPAF have agreed to provide children through "Mahfooz Pakistan", awareness and education on the importance of hand washing in order to reduce incidences of diarrhea in children of Pakistan. In partnership with PPAF, Unilever-Lifebuoy has agreed to initiate and execute through PPAF the hand wash programme in the two chosen districts in rural areas of Punjab.

In this one year agreement Unilever & PPAF will educate over 50,000 community members of Narowal and Sangar. Lifebuoy will work with PPAF in training NGO's, providing free Lifebuoy soap and hand washing material and other joint activities.

Lifebuoy Friendship hospital in NWFP

From hygiene promotion to primary health care, Lifebuoy partners with Friendship International to provide health facilities in northern Pakistan. The objective of the project is providing sustainable, dependable, continuous primary health care to the earthquake affected areas in the region of the Abottabad and surrounding areas through a Base clinic and reaching maximum number of people needing medical intervention.

Friendship International a Pakistan registered organization, based in Luxembourg, having ERRA permission for working in the region, started a mobile clinic, first of its kind, in Azad Jummu Kashmir in 2005. It was to reach those who were away from the basic health unit services. To carry "Care" to those who could not reach any medical Aid. Friendship in Bangladesh, has been a partner to Unilever over the last 8 years through its Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital in Bangladesh.

Lifebuoy partners with USAID

In August 2008 Unilever and USAID The Safe Drinking Water & Hygiene Project (PSDW&HPP) joined hands to promote hygiene awareness in rural districts of Pakistan.

Through this partnership Unilever and USAID PSDW&HPP aim to work on educating an estimated 23 million people across 23 Project districts (including an estimated 28,000 teachers and 600,000 fourth grade students) through a network of 65 NGO organizations. Lifebuoy is working with - PSDW&HPP in training NGO's, providing free Lifebuoy soap and behavioural change communication material in all agreed districts.

Lifebuoy will also ensure availability of its product range, especially the smaller size soaps which would be affordable to the rural communities and thus increasing opportunity of personal hygiene.