Over the next three years, Lindström will support UNICEF’s water and sanitation work in India. The partnership not only promotes child rights, but advances the sustainable development goals.
Juha Laurio met with Marja-Riitta Ketola, Ececutive Director of UNICEF Finland to sign the new contract
Lindström, one of Europe’s leading textile service companies, and UNICEF Finland have had a partnership for over a decade. Clean water has always been in the heart of the co-operation. Lindström has earlier supported UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene programs in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In the new three-year period, Lindström supports thematically the same work all around India.
“As a responsible company and as a company that cares for people it is important for us to support children’s rights. Over the years, we have achieved incredible results together with UNICEF. It is a great honor for us to continue this important cooperation and we look forward to what we can accomplish together,” says Juha Laurio, President & CEO, Lindström Group.
High ambitions for Clean India
Over 500 million people, nearly half the population of India, still defecate in the open. That poses a serious threat to the health of children, and is the main reason India reports the highest number of diarrhoeal deaths among children under-five in the world. Despite progress, 320 children continue to die of diarrhea every day in India.
UNICEF supports the Indian government in it’s efforts to make India open defecation free. The ambitious goals for 2022 include having 450 million new users of safely managed toilets, around 100 million people to use safe drinking water, and 25% of schools to reach the minimum WASH standards in rural areas.
”India is close to our hearts as it is one of our operating countries. We want to influence the improvement of the country’s living conditions, guaranteeing a better living environment for future generations. We are committed to United Nations sustainable development goals which among others aim to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. UNICEF’s work contributes to these very important goals for us in India,” says Laurio.
For more information:
Mari Saarinen, Manager Corporate Communications, Lindström, mari.saarinen@lindstromgroup.com
Nina Vähäpassi, Corporate Alliances Manager, Finnish Committee for UNICEF, nina.vahapassi@unicef.fi