Project Prottasha: Community Flood Prevention, Hygiene & Resilience Campaign Held in Mirpur

Photo: CNI

Staff Correspondent: As part of Project Prottasha, a community-based Flood Prevention, Hygiene & Community Resilience Campaign was conducted on 21 July 2026 at Sangbadik Plot, Bihari Camp, Mirpur, Dhaka.

The initiative was coordinated by Miss Bangladesh In Training (MBIT) Volunteers, Rezuva Wellness, and Miss World Bangladesh. The field activities were led by Rezwana Sultana Laz.

The volunteer team included Junaat Hossain Mridha, Nilima Hasan Mohona, Susmita Chakraborti, and Sanjida Islam Mimi, alongside local volunteers Rabeya Akter, Reshma Akter, and Khushbu Shampa. In total, about 40 people participated in this campaign as volunteers, reaching over 500 people in the area.

The campaign began with an interactive awareness session focusing on personal hygiene and preventive healthcare. Community members learned proper handwashing techniques, correct tooth-brushing practices, personal cleanliness, and the importance of protecting and maintaining local drainage systems to reduce health risks and localized flooding.

To reinforce these messages with practical support, hygiene kits were distributed among community members. Each kit included soap, ORS saline, a nail cutter, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and sanitary pads. A nurse practitioner was also present to conduct health assessments of the residents and distribute essential medicines.

Field volunteer Nilima Hasan Mohona said:

 "Another important part of hygiene that we often forget is environmental hygiene. We must keep our surroundings clean to prevent many diseases."

Following the awareness session, volunteers worked alongside local residents in a community cleaning drive. The team identified and cleaned surrounding drainage areas, removing accumulated waste to improve sanitation and help maintain proper water flow through the drainage system.

A resident, Nasima Rahman, stated:

 "Each year, flooding creates standing water in this community. I see children getting sick right after these events. We need to keep our drainage system clean so floodwater can drain away more quickly."

After the cleanup, volunteers held an open discussion with community members, encouraging them not to dispose of plastic or other waste into drains and emphasizing the importance of taking collective responsibility for protecting community drainage systems. Residents expressed their commitment to maintaining cleaner surroundings and supporting future community-led initiatives.

Speaking about the campaign, Dr. Nilufar Islam, Founder of MBIT Volunteers, said:

"When flooding occurs, we often focus only on relief efforts and blame climate change or local government. While these are important factors, there is also so much we can do ourselves. Even minor rainfall can become a major problem when drains are blocked, creating unnecessary short-term inundation. We must all take responsibility for keeping our open drainage systems clean."

Field lead Rezwana Sultana Laz stated:

 "Through Project Prottasha, MBIT Volunteers is introducing a simple three-step drainage protection strategy that can be implemented by local youth volunteers and community members."

The reigning Miss World Bangladesh 2026, Samanzar Sayeed, collaborated on this project through the hygiene initiative and added:

 "Hygiene is much more than handwashing. A critical part of hygiene is environmental hygiene. I am extremely happy to be part of these campaigns."

The organizers also announced that the next volunteer mission under Project Prottasha is being prepared for Cox's Bazar, where an After-Flood Hygiene & Community Resilience Project will be carried out in areas that experience recurring flooding due to embankment overflow.

The President of MBIT Volunteers, Junaat Hossain, said:

 "The initiative will focus on post-flood hygiene, sanitation, community awareness, environmental cleanup, and long-term resilience."