Blue soap in Burundi helps millions protect themselves against COVID-19
When COVID-19 hit Burundi, UNICEF and partners set to work on a massive communication campaign promoting handwashing with soap to stop the transmission of the virus. Immediately, a serious issue needed to be addressed: how can Burundians practice hand hygiene when many cannot afford buying soap? Nearly 90 per cent of Burundi's 12 million…, Making handwashing accessible, To help solve this problem, UNICEF approached SAVONOR, the biggest industrial soap producing company in Burundi, and reached an agreement: SAVONOR would reduce its own profit margin in soap production, and UNICEF would further subsidize the production – effectively cutting the price of soap in half. SAVONOR would also use its distribution system…, Spreading the word, Making soap affordable was only part of the solution. In partnership with the Ministries of Health and Communication, UNICEF developed messages on COVID-19 prevention measures to reach Burundians in every province. Mini radio programmes and television spots were broadcast on every media outlet in Burundi. UNICEF developed training modules and…, Tangible results, During the first four months of the programme, SAVONOR was producing 10 million bars of blue soap every month. By September 2020, the initiative had produced and sold over 20 million bars throughout Burundi’s 18 provinces. Risk communication and support to hygiene in healthcare facilities helped complement public health and the economic benefits…, Widespread support, In June, newly elected President Évariste Ndayishimiye publicly expressed his support for the initiative, bringing even greater visibility and awareness of the importance of hand hygiene. With its widespread capacity for coordination and communication, Government involvement was critical to the success of the communication campaign and to…
