Kimberly-Clark to provide funding for Unicef hygiene project

Kimberly-Clark is to provide funding support for a Unicef-organised hygiene project following a consumer vote.

The company has agreed to donate $50,000 (30,500 pounds) to help the clean water, sanitation and hygiene initiative after more than 50 percent of consumers participating in the recent Global Handwashing Day Challenge voted for it to receive this grant.

Unicef will use this money to support the installation of deep-well water pumps for communities in need, ensuring they have access to clean and safe water for residents to drink, wash and bathe.

It is estimated that  780 million people around the world lack access to safe drinking water, putting them at risk of contracting water-borne diseases.

Joel Schellhammer, go-to-market leader for health and wellness at Kimberly-Clark Professional, said: "We understand the importance of bringing clean, safe water to families in need around the world and informing them about hygiene practices that lead to healthier lives."

This comes after the company received recognition from the global not-for-profit organisation CDP last month for its efforts to assess and minimise deforestation risks across its global supply chain.