The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that whoever you are and wherever you live, one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a virus or other pathogens is also one of the simplest: hand hygiene, especially through handwashing with soap.For many of us, hand hygiene is as simple as remembering to wash our hands but for over 4.2 billion people this isn’t quite so easy as they lack access to safely managed sanitation services.At MingheCast, we understand that businesses have a critical role to play in raising awareness of, and providing access to, handwashing and other sanitation facilities. That’s why we support Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) education. Partnering with companies like Xylem, a leading water technology company with a truly global reach, we are committed to fostering responsible practices that deliver social impact by increasing access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Having worked with Xylem for many years, we are delighted to support their efforts in this area by signing up to the WBCSD Pledge for access to safe water and sanitation and hygiene. The Pledge is an opportunity for companies to contribute practically to the implementation of SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation for all), while at the same time ensuring that they provide international best practice on WASH.By signing the WASH Pledge, companies commit to implement or continue to implement access to WASH at the workplace at an appropriate level of standard for all employees in all premises, under their control within three years of signature.The WASH Pledge aims to establish a worldwide movement of forward-looking businesses who are taking WASH at the workplace seriously and therefore drive more companies to become signatories of the Pledge. Under the Pledge, businesses are also encouraged to address WASH across their value chain, including among their suppliers, as well as in the communities that surround their workplaces and/or where their workers live.“Over the years Xylem has used its unique position to support initiatives aimed at improving access to clean water in communities around the world. We are enthusiastic supporters of their commitment and leadership in this area and are delighted to partner with them on the WASH Pledge programme. We fully support the view that forward-looking businesses can, and should, mobilise their network to create momentum at a global scale on an issue of societal importance. We encourage other businesses to join the WASH Pledge now and drive business action on one of the biggest public health issues of our time” said Richard Phillips, Sales Director at MingheCast.