Within days of the April 25 earthquake in Nepal, Clean the World’s Global Soap division responded with an initial shipment of soap and hygiene kits to clinics and camps serving more than 5,000 families in Kathmandu. As soon as he could make travel arrangements, Chief Development & Programs Officer Sam Stephens flew to the affected area and supervised the distribution.
Supplies were delivered to people hardest hit by the catastrophe in the country’s largest city. This includes clinics where aid workers and doctors provided care to earthquake victims without regular access to soap and hygiene supplies.
We reached camps where thousands of families had no access to even the most basic hygiene items while they struggled to cope in the aftermath of the catastrophe. In these types of situations, handwashing with soap is the first line of defense in preventing the spread of deadly diseases, especially in camps where the living conditions are often unsanitary and unhealthy. A simple bar of soap can mean the difference between life and death. Our initial response effort ensures that doctors and families have access to soap at the most critical times, preventing an already devastating situation from becoming even worse.
Going forward, Clean the World will continue to work with our partners on the ground throughout Nepal to get soap and hygiene kits to the affected regions as requested. Our operations centers in the United States and Hong Kong are working with partners to identify needs and plan for aid shipments over the coming weeks.
Our on-the-ground partners will continue to make sure the soap reaches those individuals, families, and medical workers who need the supplies the most. In addition, we’ll continue to make sure that clinics and camps operating in the region have the ongoing supply of soap and hygiene items they need until local sources and supplies once again become available.
Thank you so much for your support of our efforts to make sure that those most in need have access to lifesaving soap and hygiene products. Your contributions really are making a huge impact!
