UNICEF, Unilever to improve safe water access in sub-Saharan Africa

UNICEF and Unilever today announced a partnership to improve access to safe water in countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership will focus first on four countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The new agreement includes financial investment as well as strategic engagement with government and civil society. It aims to implement innovative community and school-based programmes to promote sustainable management of safe water and also to improve hygiene and handwashing practices.

“The business case for greater investment in safe drinking water is clear,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Just looking at the impact of safe water and positive hygiene practices on child health and nutrition, it’s easy to see how this is an investment that can hugely improve and save the lives of children – and there is no greater return on investment than that.”

Bruno Witvoet, President Unilever Africa, said: “At Uni