Unilever ‘United for America’ Initiative Helps Protect Lives and Livelihoods from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Action
Unilever is committed to ensuring that Americans can continue to thrive now and in the future. We are making a long-term commitment to serve both the essential organizations on the front lines and the individuals, families and vulnerable populations affected most.
United for America is Unilever’s movement to help deliver food, medical supplies, hygiene products, and other critical supplies to organizations on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, Unilever US announced a $20 million donation of products and services for Americans in need through organizations such as Direct Relief and Feeding America, along with other efforts including a donation of more than 200,000 masks to local New Jersey hospitals. As a next step, Unilever is organizing a first annual Day of Service on May 21, 2020.
The company’s actions in the U.S. are part of Unilever’s global effort to help protect the lives and livelihoods of the communities it supports, including its consumers, its customers and suppliers, and workforce, with worldwide contributions of more than €100 million (approximately $108 million USD) to continue helping people affected around the world.
National Day of Service on May 21
As part of United for America, Unilever United States is organizing its first annual national Day of Service on May 21.
- On this day, Unilever will donate the equivalent of one day’s worth of the products produced at our factories to Feeding America and Direct Relief
- Unilever corporate employees will spend time virtually volunteering to one of our partner organizations
- Unilever is inviting consumers join us in sending letters of gratitude to local Feeding America food bank volunteers
Our Customers and Suppliers
Unilever will offer €500 million (approximately $540 million USD) of cash flow relief worldwide to support livelihoods across its extended value chain through: early payment for its most vulnerable small and medium sized suppliers, to help them with financial liquidity; and extending credit to selected small-scale retail customers whose business relies on Unilever, to help them manage and protect jobs.
Our Workforce
Unilever will protect its global workforce from sudden drops in pay, as a result of market disruption or being unable to perform their role, for up to three months. This will cover all employees, contractors and others who we manage or who work on Unilever’s sites, on a full- or part-time basis. This will apply to workers not already covered by government plans or by their direct employer.
Brand Activities
Unilever’s brands are also taking action now. Personal care, hygiene and homecare brands including Suave, Dove, Vaseline and Seventh Generation, are working to support people and communities in need – from sharing educational content about healthy hygiene habits and handwashing to increasing support to small businesses. Food brands Knorr and Hellmann’s/Best Foods are working with partners to ensure quality, nutritious food is accessible to all. Brands will continue to act in new ways to support people and communities as the situation evolves.
Fabian Garcia, president of Unilever North America, said: “Our hearts go out to all those who are suffering from this pandemic. Unilever is ‘United for America’ because we are all in this together and only together will we defeat this virus. Our people are committed to supporting all Americans – especially those most in need – with the resources to act to protect the wellbeing of their families and their communities. We will do this by ensuring access to hygiene, nutrition and sanitation products, and by working through our brands to inform and educate people to help them in this difficult time.”