AID-COMILLA implements a number of projects with Rohingya community in camps 13, 15 & 22 in Coxsbazar with funding support from International Rescue Committee –IRC and NEAR Fund since 2021. Our main focus area is Combating Gender Based Violence among Rohingya & host community.

Major activities:  

• Provide survivor-centered integrated and inclusive GBV response services and referrals to promote the safety and well-being of women, girls, men, and boys affected by GBV : Provision of Survivor-Centered GBV Case Management Services for Women, Girls, and Other Marginalized Communities; Provision of Vulnerability/Dignity Kits to Survivors of GBV; Integration and Coordination Meeting of GBV, Health, Nutrition, and Livelihood actors of the Consortium; Observation on international Girl child day, International Women’s Day and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; Conduct Women Rise Sessions to provide GBV-centred group PSS activities to WGSS women (11 group PSS session);

• Conduct specialized life skills activities to improve adolescent girls access to SRH and GBV prevention and response services ; Selection of Beneficiaries for Girl Shine Program (Adolescents and Caregivers) ; Conduct Baseline Survey with Girl Shine Program Participants  (Adolescents and  Caregivers); Conduct Life Skills Sessions with Adolescent Girls (15participants); Conduct Girl Shine Caregiver Curriculum Sessions with  Adolescent Girls ; Conduct Early Marriage Curriculum Sessions with Married Girls ; Conduct Early Marriage Curriculum Sessions with Married girls Caregivers  ; Conduct Early Marriage Curriculum Sessions with Unmarried Girls; Conduct Early Marriage Curriculum Sessions with Unmarried girls Caregivers ; Conduct End line Survey with Girl Shine Program Participants; Girl Shine Graduation Ceremony Programme and Graduation Kit; Steering Committee  Girl shine and EMAP)

• Engage men and boys in behavior change discussions on GBV using  SASA Together, EMAP , and EMAP plus ; EMAP Plus Orientation and Meeting with Community Leaders, Members, and Existing Groups; 1 Day Training of Community Leaders on Core Concepts and Referral; Conduct EMAP Plus Sessions with Men , Women and Boys  Groups; Conduct session with  caregiver of Boys; Conduct End line Survey for EMAP; Information session for male participants and their female partners.; Caregiver engagement session and supporting curriculum for Boys; Girls and boys dialogue session; Sports, art, and cultural materials for boys’ engagement; EMAP Plus Implementation Support Cost( Logistic);

• Develop Safety mapping and risk mitigation action : Training for GBV Risk Mitigation      with Community-Based Groups; Organize quarterly meetings with community-based 

groups; Conduct safety audit with community based groups; Capacity Building  Training for Volunteers; Community Outreach and Radio Listening Session;

The Rohingya Response represents one of the most significant humanitarian operations in recent history. It emerged as a global priority after a massive influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh in 2017, following widespread violence and persecution in Myanmar. The Rohingya, a stateless ethnic minority from Rakhine State, fled their homes in search of safety and protection. Most of them have taken refuge in Cox’s Bazar District, where large-scale refugee camps have become the center of humanitarian operations.

The response is guided by the principles of protection, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. The primary objective is to ensure the survival, dignity, and well-being of the refugee population while also supporting the host communities affected by the crisis. Humanitarian actors provide essential services including food assistance, shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. In parallel, special emphasis is placed on safeguarding vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Protection mechanisms are strengthened to address issues of exploitation, trafficking, and gender-based violence, which remain critical concerns in the refugee camps.

Health and nutrition services are at the core of the response, with comprehensive programs focusing on disease prevention, maternal and child health, vaccination campaigns, and nutritional support to combat malnutrition. Education, although limited, is delivered through informal learning centers and community-based initiatives, aiming to provide children with basic literacy and life skills. Vocational training and capacity-building activities are also implemented to empower youth and reduce long-term dependency on aid.

The response involves multiple actors, including the Government of Bangladesh, international agencies, and humanitarian partners. Key organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and World Food Programme (WFP), along with national and international NGOs, coordinate their efforts through the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG). This coordination ensures that resources are used efficiently and that the needs of both refugees and host communities are addressed effectively.

Despite the scale of humanitarian efforts, the Rohingya response faces significant challenges. Overcrowding in the camps, environmental degradation, and funding shortages remain major obstacles. The prolonged nature of displacement has intensified protection risks, with limited access to education and livelihood opportunities. Moreover, the absence of a political solution in Myanmar has made voluntary repatriation uncertain.

In the long term, the response aims to uphold the rights, safety, and dignity of the Rohingya people while seeking durable solutions. These solutions may include voluntary, safe, and dignified return to Myanmar when conditions allow, resettlement to third countries, or other sustainable options. At the same time, efforts continue to strengthen resilience, build community capacity, and support host communities to promote social cohesion and stability. The Rohingya response, therefore, stands as both a humanitarian imperative and a test of the international community’s commitment to shared responsibility and human dignity.