Global Handwashing Day

On Global Handwashing Day , the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement calls on everyone to recognize handwashing as essential to health and dignity in every community. Everyone can be a handwashing hero. Teachers can make handwashing part of the daily routine in classrooms.   Healthcare workers and managers can ensure facilities have soap and water for patients and staff. Community leaders can champion handwashing stations in public spaces and during emergencies.   Policymakers can ensure that handwashing facilities are included in every school, health facility, and community plans. On October 15th , Global Handwashing Day and every day, let's work together to ensure that everyone, everywhere can access the soap and water they need to stay healthy and safe. Learn more about the IFRC’s work in water, sanitation and hygiene .

When Ecuadorian Red Cross volunteers visited hard-to-reach communities in Mastrantral District on Ecuador's coastline in March 2025 to provide vaccinations, they also conducted handwashing demonstrations and emphasized the importance of clean hands. This work is part of the Programmatic Partnership between IFRC, National Societies and the European Union . “Certain places are hard to reach, but we do our best to reach these communities that need it.” says Lisette Pinargote Villón, a volunteer with Ecuadorian Red Cross. “We have taught the community the importance of handwashing, and also that they should take care to avoid diseases that are common here, such as dengue.” By integrating handwashing promotion with vaccination activities, the Red Cross ensures that families receive comprehensive health support. This combined approach helps communities stay healthy not just through immunization, but also through everyday practices that prevent the spread of disease.