https://www.gov.uk
New £100 million campaign to reach up to a billion people globally will help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The
The programme will reach up to a billion people worldwide, raising awareness and changing behaviour, to make sure people are washing their hands with soap regularly and disinfecting surfaces.
It is backed by funding of up to £50 million each from both the
Such support is vital to stop the spread of the disease in the developing world and will also limit its further potential spread in the
Over half a billion pounds of aid from the
International Development Secretary
Health experts have said washing your hands regularly and staying away from other people are the most effective ways to stop this virus from spreading and to save lives.
Many people in the poorest countries lack access to basic handwashing products, such as soap, or are not aware of the urgent need to change their behaviour. The
The mass awareness campaign will run across TV, radio and print, social and digital media to help change people's behaviour in countries across
The initiative will be led by
The announcement builds on a series of actions announced by
Lifebuoy and Domestos have a proven track record of running hygiene awareness and education programmes successfully, and we hope that the work we will be able to drive jointly with
As the world's biggest soap company, we have a responsibility to help make soap and hygiene products more readily available, and to use our expertise to teach people to wash their hands effectively, whichever brand they choose to use.
The initiative will support British and international NGOs and other partners to run programmes to tackle the spread of coronavirus, through increasing access to hygiene products; a mass public awareness campaign on the importance of handwashing; and a hygiene behaviour change programme. It will also harness the expertise of leading academics, including from the
DFID and
Notes to editors:
Lifebuoy's handwashing programmes have already reached over 450 million people over the last 10 years, tackling diseases like rotavirus and typhoid which spread easily through people's hands.
Domestos programmes have previously helped 28 million people over the last eight years get improved access to toilets across schools and communities ensuring facilities are maintained clean and safe for longer.
The partnership announced today plans to harness the expertise of leading academics, including from the
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