H&M has collaborated with the international organisation WaterAid since 2002. WaterAid enables the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and improved hygiene. These basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods and form the first, essential step in overcoming poverty.
Every summer H&M sells an exclusive bikini – and, more recently, a whole swimwear collection – from which 25 percent of the sales price are donated to WaterAid. The money raised through the collections is linked to WaterAid’s water and sanitation projects in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, where some of H&M’s clothing is produced.
In this way, H&M’s support can have a direct impact on improving the lives of many of the women and children in the communities where we work. So far, H&M’s support has helped more than 150,000 poor people gain access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene knowledge.
"The partnership has raised over GBP 2.6 million since 2002 for our vital work and we are extremely proud to continue to be supported by H&M and their customers"
Dave Hillyard, Head of Major Partnerships, WaterAid
WaterAid works with local partners who understand local issues, and provides them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs. As part of their projects, WaterAid runs courses in personal hygiene in collaboration with partner organisations:
"This can be about washing your hands before you eat or after you have been to the toilet – simple things that are very important in reducing the spread of disease," says Caroline Whatley of WaterAid UK.
Nazma, 25, lives in one of the areas in Bangladesh that WaterAid has helped. Gaining access to clean water near her home has made a massive difference to her life:
"Previously I was forced to walk half a kilometre to fetch water twice a day", says Nazma. "Now I can fetch water three times a day from the new pump in the area where I live without any problem. The pump and toilet buildings have made a considerable improvement to our living environment. The water is clean and tastes good. I’m pregnant and I feel hopeful for the future."
Read more about WaterAid at www.wateraid.org.
Karl-Johan Persson, CEO gives his opinion on H&M's sustain-ability program. Click here
Watch videos about our sustainability work. Click here
A few case studies on some of the work we do. Click here
H&M has defined seven ambitious commitments on sustainability which we work hard every day to achieve.
1 - Provide fashion for conscious customers
2 - Choose and reward responsible partners
Find out about our sustainability performance in the latest Concious Actions Sustainability Report 2012.
Little time? Take a quick glance through the highlights from 2012.
