Integrating handwashing into vaccination campaigns.
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.
