On 12th March 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, a global pandemic. It continues to impact the most vulnerable in our societies the hardest - those with limited access to healthcare, support and protection.
One of the most effective measures you can do to protect yourself against coronavirus is handwashing with soap. Yet for many people living in poverty, this simple step is out of reach. Only 3 in 5 people worldwide have access to adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities.
COVID-19 is devastating for families in Bangladesh, in areas where people are already struggling.
Throughout 2020, 2021 and 2022, we worked in one of the poorest areas, Sundarban Union, and expanded our support to Dinajpur slums. We:
delivered vital hygiene supplies to 8,783 families without access to the basics – soap, sanitiser, disinfectant, face masks and other PPE
reached over 35,000 with our virus prevention campaign (sharing information for how to keep safe) via audio rickshaws, leaflets and community banners
trained our frontline staff, volunteers and village heads across 2 Unions in best practice, including hand washing techniques and dispelling COVID myths and rumours
provided protective equipment (PPE) for our frontliners
supported 3,848 people register for the vaccine