Project Highlights
Donor: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Duration: 01 January 2024– 31 December 2024
Number of Beneficiaries: 43,820
Main partner/s:
Location: Ukhiya Camp 1E, 1W, 3, 4, 4 ext, 5 Palongkhali Union – Ward 4 & 5 (Host community), Registration support: camp 13, 14, 15, 16 and 8W, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Project Summary
The “Strengthening Protective Environments for FDMN Children and Adolescents” project, funded by UNHCR, focuses on safeguarding vulnerable children in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, including camps and host communities. Running throughout 2024, the project benefits 43,820 individuals by delivering tailored child protection services such as Best Interest Assessments (BIA), Best Interest Determination (BID), psychosocial support, life skills training, and structured mental health sessions through the culturally adapted “Khushir Khorak” curriculum. A dedicated case management team addresses the needs of over 1,400 unaccompanied, separated, or at-risk children, offering family tracing, reunification, and alternative care. The initiative also emphasizes community engagement, empowering caregivers through parenting sessions and Problem Management Plus (PM+) while fostering resilience among adolescents through innovative programs like “Girls Shine” and “Sports for Protection.” Community-based committees, adolescent clubs, and participatory activities drive advocacy and awareness, ensuring sustainable outcomes that protect children and strengthen local capacity to address risks.
Project Goal
The goal of the project is to ensure that refugee children are safe, protected, and able to fully enjoy their rights through the implementation of comprehensive child protection activities across all socio-ecological layers.
Key Activities and Achievements
- Children are supported through case management and one-on-one Psychosocial Support through PM+.
- Adolescent and youth are provided structured Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) with Khushir Khorak, YouCreate, and Girl Shine sessions.
- Caregivers receive Positive Parenting and Girls Shine Caregiver sessions.
- Community-based committees and youth groups implement initiatives and conduct outreach to mitigate and address child protection risks.