We’re using our resources, expertise, products and networks to help communities better prepare for natural and man-made disasters.
From man-made emergencies to natural disasters
Natural and man-made disasters continue to pose significant challenges to communities worldwide. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
At the same time, man-made disasters including wars and conflict continue to have devastating impacts on people and the environment. In response to these challenges, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and businesses like ours are working to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
How do we help?
Through partnerships with global NGOs, we respond to immediate crises, providing hygiene and business expertise, product donations, financial assistance and employee contributions. Through strategic programmes on-the-ground, we also support the resilience and rehabilitation of communities that are likely to be, or have been, affected by disasters.
We also advocate for NGOs and businesses to work together on disaster planning. Businesses can bring important knowledge, infrastructure, resources and networks to help reduce the impact of emergencies. As well as being good for society, disaster planning helps to make businesses and supply chains resilient.
Building resilience for local communities
In India, Hindustan Unilever has designed the first of its kind ‘Suvidha centres', urban community hygiene and sanitation centres which provide improved access to purified drinking water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) facilities for low-income communities at an affordable cost. As part of this initiative with HSBC India and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Suvidha centres currently benefit 420,000 people every year in the slums of Mumbai and are on track to save 130 million litres of water per year through greywater treatment and recycling. Since their introduction, a study has shown 70% of users reporting improved self-esteem, and the model has shown a 44% reduction in diarrhoea incidence compared to non-Suvidha centre users. More than 90% of users also found Suvidha centres safe for women and children.
Relief when and where it counts
Unilever is committed to supporting our local communities and consumers. When disaster strikes, we provide emergency relief to meet some of the immediate needs and challenges of those affected.
The scale and impact of our support would not be possible without our NGO partners and humanitarian aid organisations. For example, through our partnership with Direct Relief, we help people across the world get the products they need as fast as possible in times of crisis. Our soaps, body washes and shampoos are part of emergency kits distributed through Direct Relief’s networks. So far, Direct Relief has distributed over 800,000 kits in response to a number of emergencies in over 35 countries.
Following the devasting earthquake in Turkey and Syria in 2023, Unilever worked with the United Nations Humanitarian Relief and Rescue Agency (UNHCR) and the Red Cross to support those affected by the crisis. Unilever pledged in-kind donations valued at €1 million for food, tea and hygiene products and our employee fundraising campaign was matched in full by the business.
Vaseline lends a healing hand
Millions of people affected by crises or poverty suffer from extreme physical discomfort and infection. This can leave them unable to work or function properly. The cause? Common skin conditions that could be treated – or even prevented altogether – with a simple jar of Vaseline Jelly.
Our Vaseline® Healing Project (VHP), in partnership with Direct Relief has helped to heal skin through product donations, dermatological care and training for healthcare professionals. The VHP recognises the importance of healthy skin and works to empower patients and providers to treat skin conditions and maintain skin health.
Working in developing countries, and in response to emergencies, the programme continues to reach communities where proximity to unclean water causes skin conditions such as scabies, fungal infections, eczema and dermatitis.
Lifebuoy - Mum’s Magic Hands guides the way in emergency settings
Refugees and communities affected by disasters are among the most vulnerable to disease, often living in crowded conditions. Through our hygiene brand Lifebuoy, we partnered with Oxfam to create the world’s first handwashing behaviour change programme for emergency settings, to help reduce infections.
Our pilot among mums in earthquake-affected areas of Nepal showed that the programme increased handwashing with soap after going to the toilet by 45%.
At the heart of our Mum’s Magic Hands programme is a story about a mum and her magic hands, told through the eyes of a little girl. Mothers nurture their children against all odds. Their magic hands put their children to sleep, clean them, help them learn to walk and soothe away their pain. And washing those magic hands can prevent their children from getting ill. The story is brought to life through a series of sessions, with activities and stickers to promote and reinforce the practice of handwashing with soap at home and in the community.
We’ve created a repeatable model and Mum’s Magic Hands has now been used in over 17 emergencies.
Supporting displaced people through rehabilitation activities
Those impacted by disasters and emergencies often need long-term support to rebuild their lives. So we help displaced families access everyday essentials, develop their skills and settle into their new homes.
Through Ben & Jerry’s, we partnered with The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network (TERN) to create the Up Collective (formally the Ice Cream Entrepreneurs (ICE) Academy), helping refugees to better integrate into society and access economic opportunities. Refugees are given training to develop their own business, alongside short-term jobs with our Ben & Jerry’s brand. So far, we have worked with 496 refugee entrepreneurs and there have been 143 new businesses launched as a direct result of the UP Collective.
In Turkey and the Netherlands, we have also worked with the Embark project to connect talented young refugees with business leaders across Unilever, helping to build refugees’ personal and professional networks and offer business training opportunities. In return, Unilever has benefitted from insights into where young people see culture, technology and business heading.
We welcome the enormous value that refugees can bring to businesses, and to society more broadly; enriching their host communities economically, socially and culturally.
