Unilever Bangladesh, Friendship partner to improve hygiene access for 42,000 people
Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Friendship have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen health and hygiene awareness and improve access to essential hygiene products for approximately 42,000 people in underserved communities.
Signed on 23 September, the partnership will remain in effect until 31 December 2027. According to the press release, it aims to promote sustainable health and hygiene practices through community engagement, awareness-building, and improved access to essential products.
Unilever Bangladesh is a fast-moving consumer goods company, while Friendship is a social purpose organisation working with marginalised communities across Bangladesh.
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Under the initiative, the two organisations will work together to raise awareness of health, hygiene, maternal and child wellbeing, and preventive healthcare practices. The partnership will also support entrepreneurship development and capacity building for Friendship Community Medicals (FCMs), alongside community outreach, regular monitoring and programme evaluation to strengthen its impact and effectiveness.
Zeeshan Bayezid Rahman, director of customer strategy and channel excellence at Unilever Bangladesh, and Muhammad Shameem Reza, senior director of legal and chief financial officer at Friendship, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
The organisations expect the initiative to benefit approximately 42,000 people in underserved communities across more than 20 districts. The locations listed for coverage include Satkhira, Shyamnagar, Kushtia, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Khulna, Bagerhat, Mongla, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Jamalpur, Noakhali, Cox's Bazar, South Surma, Chandpur, Habiganj, Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Bogura, Kurigram and Pabna.
A network of 690 Friendship Community Medical Teams will support implementation by working directly with local communities. They will deliver health and hygiene education and facilitate access to essential hygiene products, including detergent powder, laundry soap, dishwashing bars, toilet cleaners, toothpaste, bathing soap and handwash.
By combining Friendship's grassroots presence with Unilever Bangladesh's expertise in health and hygiene programmes, the partnership seeks to encourage positive behaviour change, particularly among women and children. Through greater awareness, community engagement, and improved access to essential hygiene products, the initiative aims to help communities adopt healthier, more sustainable hygiene practices.
The organisations said the partnership reflects their shared commitment to supporting healthier communities by addressing everyday health and hygiene challenges and expanding access to knowledge, resources and opportunities in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh.
