Water is the most basic necessity for all life. In China, there are over 40 million students at 114,000 schools who do not have access to safe drinking water. To tackle this issue, Merck Holding initiated its “Clean Water Project” in 2018 since then ensured that schools in rural China have access to clean drinking water. Merck partnered with the non-profit organization, the One Foundation to select schools in dire need and implemented the program. Not only did Merck install purification systems at 102 rural schools, which gave over 40,000 students access to safe drinking water, the company also shared its expertise on water analysis and testing with the local government and partners. By the end of 2021, there will be 140 water purification systems installed. In the future, Merck will make sure that the schools’ water systems stay maintained and supply the schools with fresh filters. It will also expand its project to make sure that more schools, therefore more children, have access to clean and safe water.

Source: More Than A Market Booklet 2021