The Baxter International Foundation and UNICEF Partner to Expand Access to Safe Water and Sanitation in Egypt

Partnership between Baxter International Foundation and UNICEF to Improve Access to Safe Water and Sanitation in Egypt

DEERFIELD, Ill. and NEW YORK – 2023-11-28

The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX), and UNICEF have announced a partnership aimed at improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation in five water-challenged regions in Egypt. This three-year initiative, supported by a $2.5 million grant from the Foundation, focuses on implementing climate-smart water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming in Upper Egypt’s governorates of Aswan, Assiut, Quena, Minya, and Luxor. The partnership aims to benefit thousands of people through community engagement, education, and rehabilitation of primary health units.

“Clean, safe water is fundamental to life, yet water scarcity remains a critical issue in certain parts of the world,” said José (Joe) E. Almeida, chairman, president, and CEO at Baxter. “We are honored to continue partnering with UNICEF to support regional water initiatives that make a meaningful difference for underserved communities, in line with Baxter’s 2030 Corporate Responsibility Commitment and Goals.”

The Importance of Safe Water and Sanitation for Children

Access to safe water, basic toilets, and good hygiene practices are crucial for providing children with a healthy start to life. Unfortunately, diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation are among the leading causes of death in children under five years old¹. Climate change exacerbates the issue of water access, particularly for vulnerable children, as changes in water cycle patterns due to extreme weather make it more difficult to access safe drinking water. In Egypt, approximately 7.3 million people lack access to safe water, contributing to an annual water deficit of around seven billion cubic meters².

“Every child has a right to a clean and safe environment,” said Michael J. Nyenhuis, president and CEO of UNICEF USA. “With the support of the Baxter International Foundation, UNICEF can help reach children and families in Egypt with access to safe water and provide the resources and education needed to face the impacts of climate change.”

Goals of the Partnership

• Provide technical support to national and local governments to increase access to WASH services, equipping more than 4,000 households with safe drinking water and sewage connections.
• Improve access to quality WASH services in more than 100 primary care units, including gender-separated and disability-friendly sanitation services.
• Help 150 schools and 40 nurseries develop and implement action plans and mitigation strategies focused on climate change and WASH.
• Support medical teams at health facilities in delivering climate-adaptive health and nutrition services and education for mothers and children, as well as educating young children and high-risk pregnant and lactating women to equip them with skills to help protect against the impact of climate change on WASH.
• Equip 50 health facilities with green sources of power and energy, such as solar panels.

The partnership between UNICEF and the Baxter International Foundation leverages their unique expertise and experience. UNICEF has been instrumental in improving access to safe water and sanitation globally, while Baxter and its foundation actively invest in community-focused water projects in water-stressed areas. Previously, UNICEF and the Baxter International Foundation collaborated on a program to improve water security in La Guajira, Colombia in 2021. Through these initiatives in Egypt and Colombia, both organizations aim to contribute to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which focuses on Clean Water and Sanitation.

About the Baxter International Foundation

The Baxter International Foundation, in alignment with Baxter’s mission to save and sustain lives, works to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who depend on their products and in the communities where their employees live and work. The foundation partners with organizations worldwide to increase access to healthcare for the underserved, develop the next generation of healthcare innovators, and create a positive, long-lasting impact in communities globally.

About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) operates in over 190 countries and territories, striving for a more equitable world for every child. UNICEF has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization by providing healthcare, immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more.

UNICEF USA works to advance the global mission of UNICEF by mobilizing the American public to support vulnerable children worldwide. Together, they are working towards a world that upholds the rights of all children and enables every child to thrive.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.

UNICEF’s work is funded entirely through the voluntary support of millions of people around the world and their partners in government, civil society, and the private sector.

¹ UNICEF USA: Clean and Safe Water Projects: UNICEF’s Mission. https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/childrens-health/water-sanitation/safe-water-projects#:~:text=Children%20under%20age%205%20are,children%20under%205%20years%20old 

² UNICEF: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: https://www.unicef.org/egypt/water-sanitation-and-hygiene 

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