ISLAMABAD (December 1): Free bars of soap from Unilever are putting good hygiene and illness prevention back in the hands of 100,000 families, enabling them to cleanse their hands of germs that cause diarrhoea, which can be life-threatening if not managed properly, according to a press release issued by the Emergency Hygiene and WES (Water, Environment and Sanitation) Communication Unit, Ministry of Environment.

Unilever has donated 100,000 bars of LifeBuoy soap for distribution in the earthquake affected districts as part of efforts by UNICEF and the Ministries of Health and Environment to promote good health, hygiene, and water and sanitation practices. The soap is being distributed by Boy Scouts deployed under a partnership with UNICEF for awareness raising and motivation in Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, Rawalakot and Batgram.

Germs flourish in emergency situations, where water and sanitation facilities are less than optimal, and immune systems are weakened. Frequent hand-washing with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilets, is especially important and could save many lives.

Gastroenteritis, or acute diarrhoeal disease, can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, parasitic and chemical agents that are usually spread through the ingestion of food and water contaminated by infected stools.

The soap donation and the Boy Scouts initiative are part of an Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Communication Plan for coordinated and integrated key messages and communication activities on health (diarrhoea, ARI, malaria, tuberculosis, immunization nutrition including exclusive and continued breastfeeding), maternal health/safe motherhood, hygiene, water and sanitation, mental health and child protection.

The Ministry of Environment and UNICEF have set up the Emergency Hygiene and WES Communication Unit in the Ministry of Environment to lead communication activities related to hygiene, water and sanitation. An Emergency Hygiene and WES Communication Committee has been formed to plan, coordinate and monitor activities under the Emergency Hygiene and WES Communication Plan. Partners in the Committee include the Ministry of Environment, UNICEF, Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and other partners.

Programme Communication is essential in an emergency situation in order to provide caregivers, families and communities the necessary information to make them aware of and make use of the services available to them and healthy practices that can help to minimize illness and death in affected areas.