At Unilever Bangladesh, we believe that real, lasting change is only possible when we walk together. Shohojatra: Co-Creating Impact was born out of this belief — an event that brought together our partners, industry peers, academia and opinion leaders to showcase how collaboration under the four sustainability pillars of our Growth Action Plan (GAP) 2030 is contributing towards a sustainable future for Bangladesh.
Across Climate, Nature, Plastics and Livelihood, we highlighted stories of co-created impact models with our partners. Each story was a reminder that no single organisation can address the pressing challenges of the world today, alone. Our role is to co-create solutions — working with experts, innovators, and communities to drive changes through scalable models of impact.
The Climate Challenge: Why Partnerships Matter
Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Rising river levels, frequent flooding, and shifting landscapes place millions of people at risk every year. For those living in remote riverine islands, or chars, climate vulnerability is not an abstract concept — it is their daily life.
These communities often lack access to basic healthcare as distance, isolation, and poverty make it nearly impossible to reach hospitals or even doctors. Climate change compounds these challenges, turning health crises into long-term burdens. It is here, at the very frontline of climate impact, that partnerships can truly make a difference.
Floating Hope: The Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital
One of the most inspiring stories highlighted at Shohojatra was the journey of the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital (LFH), led by our long-standing partner Friendship NGO under the leadership of its founder, Runa Khan.
In 2002, Friendship transformed a simple river barge into something extraordinary: Bangladesh’s first floating hospital. What began as an audacious idea has since become a lifeline for thousands of people living in climate-vulnerable char areas.
Over the years, LFH has travelled through some of the most remote parts of the country, bringing with it a three-tiered system of medical services. With facilities ranging from basic consultations to life-changing surgeries, LFH has reached those who would otherwise remain unserved due to the remoteness of their homes.
Impact at Scale
The impact of the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital speaks for itself:
- Over 790,000* patients have received free or affordable medical care since its first voyage.
- Over 1.3 million medical services have been delivered by LFH, including more than 18,000 life-changing surgeries — burns, cleft lips, cataracts, orthopaedic corrections, prolapse and fistula.
- The hospital has hosted 30-35 international health camps annually, with doctors from around the world volunteering their expertise.
- With Lifebuoy’s branding and support, the hospital has built trust, visibility, and recognition in the remotest corners of the country.
For the communities of the chars, LFH is more than just a hospital. For them, it is a “Floating Hope.”
A Model of Co-Creation
LFH exemplifies what Shohojatra is all about: co-creation. Friendship brought expertise, deep community trust, and relentless innovation. Unilever Bangladesh brought brand purpose, resources, and partnership. Together, we created a model that is impactful and much needed for the climate-vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
Through this co-created model, LFH demonstrates how private and social sector partnerships can bridge gaps that governments or NGOs alone cannot. It shows that efficiency, reach, and compassion can be achieved when we align around shared goals.
Looking Forward: A Journey Together
Sustainable impact is not a solo pursuit. It is a journey we walk together — with humility, dialogue, and a commitment to systematic actions.
At Unilever Bangladesh, we believe in extending support to the communities who are affected by Climate action. And therefore, together with Friendship, we have co-created LFH to help improve healthcare access for climate-affected communities, advancing our purpose to brighten everyday life for all.