Unilever Bangladesh Limited has extended financial support to the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) and the Disabled Rehabilitation & Research Association (DRRA) to strengthen rehabilitation capacity and promote inclusive livelihoods for people with disabilities.
The initiative aims to expand access to rehabilitation services and support income opportunities for vulnerable communities, the company said in a statement.
Through CRP, Unilever Bangladesh Limited is supporting the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), a training institute for rehabilitation professionals.
The support will cover academic and residential fees for financially vulnerable students enrolled at the institute, helping expand the country’s pipeline of certified therapists at a time when Bangladesh faces a shortage of specialised rehabilitation professionals.
The initiative is expected to widen access to essential rehabilitation services, particularly for marginalised communities, while contributing to Sustainable Development Goal targets related to health, education and reduced inequalities.
Alongside the institutional support, the company is also backing a six-month economic empowerment programme implemented by DRRA in Vatara slum in Dhaka, where many climate-displaced families face poverty and limited livelihood opportunities.
The programme includes a mobile food court operated by a youth with a disability and a caregiver, providing income opportunities while offering training on hygiene, food safety and financial management.
It also supports mothers with disabilities in running an online shop titled Bangla Ma, aimed at promoting digital inclusion and enabling sustainable home-based income.
Through the partnerships, Unilever Bangladesh Limited said it aims to strengthen institutional capacity and community resilience while promoting health services and inclusive economic opportunities for people with disabilities.
Unilever Bangladesh Limited has been operating in the country for more than six decades, with more than nine out of ten households using at least one of its brands.
The company markets more than 20 brands in Bangladesh, including Lux, Lifebuoy, Surf Excel, Closeup, Sunsilk, Ponds, Vaseline and Dove, and is part of the global Unilever group operating in more than 190 countries.
