Unilever Bangladesh and Friendship Partner to Expand Health and Hygiene Access in Underserved Communities

Dhaka : Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL), one of the country’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies, and Friendship, a social purpose organisation working with marginalised communities across Bangladesh, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen health and hygiene awareness and improve access to essential hygiene solutions in underserved communities.
Signed on 23 September 2026, the partnership will remain in effect until 31 December 2027 and aims to promote sustainable health and hygiene practices through community engagement, awareness building and improved access to essential products.
Under the initiative, the two organisations will work together to raise awareness on health, hygiene, maternal and child wellbeing, and preventive healthcare practices. The partnership will also support entrepreneurship development and capacity building for Friendship Community Medicaides (FCMs), alongside community outreach, regular monitoring and programme evaluation to strengthen impact and effectiveness.
The MoU was signed by Zeeshan Bayezid Rahman, Director, Customer Strategy & Channel Excellence, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, and Muhammad Shameem Reza, Senior Director, Legal & Chief Financial Officer, Friendship, on behalf of their respective organisations.
Through this initiative, approximately 42,000 people in underserved communities across more than 20 districts are expected to benefit. These 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.
Implementation will be supported by a network of 690 Friendship Community Medicaides (FCMs) working directly with local communities. The FCMs 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 extensive 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 solutions, the initiative aims to help communities adopt healthier and more sustainable hygiene practices.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment by Unilever Bangladesh and Friendship to support healthier communities by addressing everyday health and hygiene challenges and expanding access to knowledge, resources and opportunities in hard-to-reach areas of Bangladesh.
-Press Release