The homeless are highly vulnerable to infection due to unhygienic conditions and more likely to fall victim of respiratory disease. Corporate aid to the homeless is insufficient due to the fear that it might reflect negatively on corporate image.

Sanofi Pasteur Korea launched ‘Helping Hands’ to establish a long-term solution for providing vaccines and clothing to society’s most vulnerable. In partnership with government and NGOs, Sanofi Pasteur Korea endeavored to create a social wave that would increase aid for the homeless and protect them from infectious disease.

In October 2012, just before flu season, Sanofi Pasteur Korea in partnership with 5 institutions provided the most free flu vaccines ever – helping to protect more than 5,000 lives. The 25th October event with 900 vaccinations was especially newsworthy. It was publicized with a photocall for major media and created 225,788,258 media impressions.

Furthermore, Sanofi Pasteur Korea partnered with social enterprises to host a clothing donation event for the homeless. Pre-PR activities via SNS, radio and articles arranged to draw participation from citizens creating 355,532,289 media impressions. At the event, 30,000 items of clothing were collected from 7,000 citizens and, in the months following the event, 70,000 additional items were donated.

After two successful years, the Helping Hands campaign’s platform has been able to provide a steady stream of vaccinations and an outpouring of donations from the general public. Moreover, Helping Hands has contributed to increasing social awareness and consciousness of the plight of the homeless.

Under an MOU with Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Medical Center and Community Chest of Seoul, developed a long-term vaccination platform and vaccinated 2,500 of the vulnerable in 2011. In October 2012, 5,000 were provided with vaccines.

Especially on 25th October, 4 organizations and more than 50 volunteers participated in an event hosted for vaccination of 900 homeless, which was publicized with a photocall for major media.

On 13th October, ‘The Big Dream’, a pro bono event to accept donations of used clothing from citizens accompanied by a talent donation concert, was held through a co-hosting arrangement with Seoul Metropolitan Government and The Big Issue Korea in the popular area of Seoul, ‘Cheonggye’. Pre-PR activities via celebrities’ Twitter, newspapers, magazines and poster distribution were arranged to draw participation from citizens.

Also a guideline for regular clothes donation was given to those who visited the event site.

In 2012 Helping Hands campaign achieved 409 media exposures, reaching up 592,506,455 media impressions.

In terms of vaccination, Helping Hands vaccinated 5,000 people in need residing in Seoul. Through ‘The Big Dream’ clothes donation event, supplied 30,000 items of clothing collected at the event site to facilities for the homeless, including ‘Our wardrobe’. During four months after the event, 70,000 items of clothing, 50,000 items more than the average monthly donation, were donated to the homeless facility.