17/10/2025
🌍 Event Report on World Handwashing Day 2025
Theme: “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.”
Date: 15 October 2025
Venue: Rohingya Camp, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar
Implemented by: Gono Unnayan Prokriya (GUP)
Funded by: GUP’s own fund
1. Background
World Handwashing Day is celebrated globally every year on October 15 to promote the importance of hand hygiene as a simple yet powerful way to prevent diseases and save lives. In line with the global theme “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene,” Gono Unnayan Prokriya (GUP) observed this important day in the Rohingya camp area of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar.
The celebration aimed to enhance awareness among the Rohingya community and host population about the significance of maintaining proper hand hygiene, especially before eating and after using the toilet, to prevent communicable diseases and ensure a healthy community life.
2. Objectives
To raise awareness about the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water.
To encourage the Rohingya community to adopt healthy and hygienic daily practices.
To promote behavior change and sustainability in personal hygiene and sanitation habits.
To build community engagement around the concept of “clean hands, healthy lives.”
3. Major Activities
a. Awareness Rally
A colorful rally was organized in the Rohingya camp with the participation of community volunteers, women, adolescents, and children. Participants carried banners and placards highlighting messages on hand hygiene, such as “Clean Hands Save Lives” and “Wash Hands with Soap Before Eating.”
b. Health and Hygiene Promotion
Health workers and community facilitators of GUP conducted interactive awareness sessions focusing on the importance of hand hygiene, correct handwashing techniques, and the health risks associated with poor hygiene. Demonstrations were held showing the proper steps of handwashing with soap and clean water.
c. Participatory Activities
Various participatory activities such as quiz sessions, group discussions, and handwashing demonstrations were conducted to make the sessions more engaging. Children and women actively took part and shared their experiences about daily hygiene practices.
d. Distribution of Hygiene Materials
To reinforce the learning, GUP distributed soap bars and leaflets containing key messages on hygiene and sanitation among participants.
4. Participation
Over 150 community members, including men, women, adolescents, and children from the Rohingya camp, actively participated in the event. GUP staff, community health volunteers, and local leaders joined hands to make the event successful.
5. Key Outcomes
Increased awareness among Rohingya refugees about proper handwashing techniques.
Strengthened community understanding of the link between hand hygiene and disease prevention.
Active participation and enthusiasm among children and women in hygiene promotion activities.
Improved community motivation to maintain personal and household cleanliness.
6. Challenges
Limited availability of clean water in some areas posed minor constraints during demonstration sessions.
Some participants initially lacked understanding of proper hygiene practices, which required additional guidance.
7. Conclusion
The celebration of World Handwashing Day 2025 by Gono Unnayan Prokriya (GUP) successfully created positive awareness among the Rohingya community on maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in daily life. Through participatory and practical approaches, the event reinforced the vital message that “hand hygiene is everyone’s responsibility.”
GUP remains committed to continuing such awareness initiatives to ensure a healthier, safer, and more resilient community.
