icddr,b And Unilever Team to Fight Coronavirus

icddr, b, and Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost icddr, b's ongoing Covid-19 emergency response.

At a time when the world is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and foreign resources are channeled to global initiatives to counter this pandemic, icddr, b has appealed to the local community to help its Covid-19 emergency response, according to a press release.

As per the deal, Unilever Bangladesh will provide USD 52,000 in cash support for personal protective equipment for icddr, b's clinical laboratory facilities and the establishment of a temporary patient care facility.

Besides, Unilever Bangladesh will provide its health and hygiene products, medical and lab equipment, and Covid-19 testing kits to icddr,b.

Unilever Bangladesh has already pledged BDT 200 million to help the nation in its fight against COVID–19.

The commitment includes measures such as product donations, creating awareness, improving health infrastructure, protecting its people, and livelihoods. As part of the commitment and desire to support the philanthropic initiatives of icddr,b, Unilever Bangladesh came up with a mixed approach of cash and in kind support to icddr,b.

icddr,b has been contributing to the plans and actions of the government of Bangladesh in its Covid-19 response through providing free of charge testing support, disease surveillance, strengthening of laboratory capacity, and technical assistance among others.

icddr, b frequently promotes universal best standards and health procedures with its own patients, clinicians and personnel to guarantee the consistency of its free diagnosis of diarrhoeal diseases and other critical scientific programs throughout the current global pandemic.

Besides, as part of icddr,b’s commitment to solving public health challenges, it is also planning on interventions and epidemiological research related to Covid-19.

On the occasion, icddr, b Executive Director Professor John D Clemens said, "Although we stand by the effect of Covid-19, I would like to thank Unilever Bangladesh for their generous support for us. It is our privilege to represent the people of Bangladesh in this extraordinary moment of need. We're going to face the storm together.

Kedar Lele, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd said, “It’s our responsibility to reach out to as many people as possible and help them in their fight against the virus. Considering the scale of the challenge and in order to address it at multiple levels, we’re collaborating with the government, health institutions, implementation partners, and civil society.”

“We believe this is the beginning of a new partnership to save essential lives and it’ll help continue icddr,b in its efforts to reduce the Covid-19 pandemic impact," he added.

Source: UNB