Unilever supports Handwashing Day

In partnership with Health Education Bureau and Ministry of Health, Unilever Sri Lanka was associated with the 3rd Global Handwashing Day celebration, which fell on the 15th of October 2010, through one of its flagship brands, Lifebuoy.

The Day is celebrated to create awareness on the benefits of washing hands. Quoting UNICEF statistics, Unilever said that 272 million school days lost worldwide each year, due to diarrhea and washing hands with soap reduces the chance of getting diarrhoea by 44%. In Sri Lanka 1 Million school children and over 20 countries worldwide joined in the celebrations.

Unilever said Global Handwashing Day is part of Lifebuoy’s commitment to health and hygiene. In Sri Lanka, Lifebuoy is committed to spreading the global hand-washing message by continuing to invest and dedicate time into local projects such as the Germ Fighters Activation in schools. This project has, over the last couple of years has reached over half a million children and is committed to reaching 200,000 children in the year 2010 alone. The campaign has increased awareness about good health and hygiene practices. This means children in Sri Lanka spend more time at school. Here are some of the scenes at the celebrations at which First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse was the chief guest. Unilever Ceylon Chairman Amal Cabraal was also present.