JAKARTA, 4th July 2014 � The Unilever Indonesia Foundation and UNICEF are further strengthening their collaboration in addressing the country�s challenges in terms of safe water and sanitation.
After a first contribution of �100,000 in 2013, the Foundation has now donated �200,000 to the UNICEF WASH programme which aims at ending open defecation and improving hygienic practices in Indonesia.
�The costs of poor sanitation in terms of ill health and lost labour in Indonesia are enormous,� said Sancoyo Antarikso, Director and Corporate Secretary of Unilever Indonesia, during the handover ceremony in Jakarta. �According to the latest estimates they amount to 29 trillion Rupiah (3.3 billion USD) per year.�
UNICEF Representative Angela Kearney reminded the audience that the country has a long way ahead, given that Indonesia has the second highest number in the world of people practicing open defecation � 54 million.
�We will make sure that the new President puts improving sanitation high up on his agenda.�
Poor sanitation and hygiene lead to an increase in diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases, a major killer of children.
The Government of Indonesia�s goal is to eliminate open defecation and ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation by 2019.
�Supporting sanitation and hygiene provides a foundation upon which to build better health for today�s communities and those of the next generation,� Angela Kearney said.
The money will be used to support Indonesia�s STBM programme, a Community Based Total Sanitation programme, with UNICEF focussing especially on defecation-free villages and hand washing with soap.
The donation will also support the �Clean Indonesia Movement� initiative which aims for clean public areas, including schools.
Improving sanitation and hygiene in schools is a key component to ensuring children are healthy and can perform well in school.
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