Kimberly-Clark Foundation Contributes Nearly $1 Million To UNICEF Child Survival Programs In Brazil
Nov 5, 2007
 

Kimberly-Clark Foundation Contributes Nearly $1 Million To UNICEF Child Survival Programs In Brazil

DALLAS, Nov. 5, 2007 - Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today announced a donation totaling nearly $1 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF (the United Nations Children's fund), which will focus on reducing the rate of infant mortality and increasing and improving access to basic sanitation, nutrition and education programs for families and children in Brazil.

Kimberly-Clark's first installment of $325,000 is targeted to benefit indigenous children in the Amazon region and Quilombolas children in Brazil's Semi-arid region. UNICEF and the company have prioritized this work for several key reasons including:

 

  • In 95 percent of the Semi-arid municipalities, the infant mortality rate is higher than Brazil's national average.

 

  • The percentage of malnourished children younger than 2 in this region is four times as high as in the South Region (8.3 percent vs. 2.3 percent).

 

  • Almost half (42 percent) of the boys and girls living in the Semi-arid area have no access to piped water, a well or a water spring.

To determine the best use of the additional installments, K-C is sending employees on a field trip this week to areas where UNICEF humanitarian efforts are already underway. Following these visits, the company, together with UNICEF officials, will identify the priorities and programs that will be funded in 2008. Examples of projects that will be evaluated include training and education for health care providers, early childhood development programs for parents and caregivers, and improved access to health care services.

"Kimberly-Clark's commitment to the Brazil region and to our long-standing partnership is evident in their participation and dedication to understanding the needs of the children and their families in Brazil," said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "It's this type of participation and input that allows UNICEF to more deeply impact the survival of children in communities around the developing world."

Every day this week, the public is invited to log into K-C's website to follow along as our employees make their field trip visits to UNICEF program sites throughout the country. By joining them on their journey, the public will have the opportunity to meet firsthand the children and families K-C and UNICEF are committed to serving through their partenrship. Photo and journal entries by K-C employees can be accessed at http://www.kimberly-clark.com/aboutus/stories_to_celebrate.aspx.

"Whether it's improving the health, hygiene and well-being of people through our products and businesses or changing lives through our charitable works, K-C has a long-standing commitment to supporting children and strengthening families," said Carolyn Mentesana, vice president, Kimberly-Clark Foundation. "All of us at Kimberly-Clark are delighted to expand our work with UNICEF in addressing the most pressing needs of children and families in Brazil."

K-C's partnership with UNICEF was established in 2001 to provide assistance and care to orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. The company has donated more than $6 million to provide 350,000 children in 24 countries with life-saving supplies and health care, education and skills training. K-C's financial support also funds programs that prevent violence and child exploitation, combat negative social stigmas and discrimination, and encourage HIV testing.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people - nearly a quarter of the world's population - trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 135-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.

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