Reckitt Benckiser, which produces homecare brands including Dettol and Lysol, has announced a commitment of RMB 50 million (€6.5 million) in cash and antibacterial products to combatting the Coronavirus outbreak in China.
The group said that it is working with healthcare authorities and NGOs in China on the provision of disinfectant products and funds to tackle the spread of the virus.
It said that in the early stages of the outbreak, it sent RMB 600,000 worth of soap and sanitiser products to Wuhan's hospital network, and is now pledging to 'upgrade its support'.
Around RMB 20 million worth of disinfectant supplies has been organised to seek to mitigate the further spread of the virus, while RMB 30 million will be donated to frontline health workers.
Immediate Action
“We immediately mobilised our experts in China and beyond as soon as the outbreak was identified," commented Reckitt Benckiser chief executive Laxman Narasimhan.
"In addition to the moral responsibility we feel, we also have an important functional role to play in enhancing personal disinfection through providing enhanced access to products which can break the chain of infection. Simple steps such as frequent hand washing will aid the many efforts the Chinese government is already putting in place to protect citizens across the region.”
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
