Fighting dengue together: how community engagement is transforming health in Khulna City, Bangladesh

When the monsoon rains returned to Khulna City last year, so did dengue. Fueled by rapid urbanization, inadequate waste management, and climate change, mosquito-borne diseases have long challenged the city. But in 2025, a new force emerged to tackle this threat - the community itself.

"Keeping our surroundings clean is not just the City Corporation's job - it's our shared duty," says Molla Maruf Rashid, a resident of Ward 30. "We now understand how collective action can protect our health."

On 26 April 2025, Molla Maruf Rashid joined more than 200 residents in a city-wide cleanup as part of the Healthy City campaign, under the WHO Initiative on urban governance for health and well-being. The campaign put people at the center of health action-demonstrating that community-led solutions can be powerful tools for disease prevention.

The campaign began in Ward 30, one of the hardest-hit areas, where stagnant water had turned into mosquito breeding sites. Through community meetings, residents co-designed practical solutions: drain stagnant ponds, improve waste disposal, and raise awareness.

On cleanup day, residents worked alongside city officials, ward commissioner, and volunteer groups including the "BD Clean", clearing the pond and surrounding areas within hours. The effort not only improved sanitation but also galvanized community spirit.

Credit: WHO Bangladesh / Asif Ahmed <_o3a_p>

To maintain momentum, a community committee was formed-bringing together residents, civil society, and local leaders to monitor progress and coordinate future activities.

These joint efforts were supported by Khulna's Healthy City Platform, launched under the WHO Initiative on urban governance for health and well-being to promote participatory and multisectoral urban governance. The Platform is guided by an advisory group of 36 senior representatives from government, civil society, and academia. It connects Khulna City Corporation with other government entities, community groups, academic institutions, and volunteers-enabling a unified and collaborative response to urban health challenges.

Through the Platform, ward commissioners raise local concerns, while WHO and city officials provide technical and logistical support.

"Community engagement is not an add-on - it's the foundation of effective urban governance," says Dr. Rajesh Narwal, Deputy WHO Representative in Bangladesh and Team Lead for the Healthy City Initiative. "Khulna's experience shows that when communities are empowered and involved from the start, they can drive real change - translating policies into tangible, on-the-ground action."

Inspired by the success in Ward 30, other wards have begun adapting the model-some focusing on waste management, others promoting physical activity in schools and public spaces. The Healthy City Advisory Committee has recognized this approach as key to advancing Khulna's Healthy City Action Plan.

Challenges remain. Political transitions in 2024 brought leadership changes, and limited resources continue to stretch routine operations. Yet, Khulna's community-driven model-grounded in participation, collaboration, and shared ownership-demonstrates that sustainable progress is possible.<_o3a_p>

Looking ahead, Khulna City Corporation aims toinstitutionalize the approach through the Healthy City Platform, reinforcing ward-level partnerships and feedback mechanisms. Meanwhile, in Ward 30, Molla Maruf Rashid and his neighbors are preparing for the next community cleanup.

The WHO Initiative on urban governance for health and well-being (2020-2028), supported by the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development, aims at improving the health status and well-being of populations in cities through participatory and multisectoral urban governance. The Initiative is implemented in six core cities: Khulna (Bangladesh), Douala (Cameroon), Bogotá (Colombia), Mexico City (Mexico), Pasig City, Metro Manila (Philippines), and Tunis (Tunisia).

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WHO Initiative on urban governance for health and well-being