Switzerland-backed project aids 62,000 Rohingya refugees
UNFPA program expands safe spaces in Bangladesh camps, offering protection, health and youth services to refugees
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — More than 62,000 Rohingya refugees and members of surrounding host communities have received protection and support services through a Switzerland-funded initiative operating in southeastern Bangladesh, according to the United Nations Population Fund.
The program, known as “Rising Together,” is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence prevention. It is financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Switzerland’s international development arm.
Services are being delivered in Cox’s Bazar — home to the world’s largest refugee settlement — and on Bhasan Char, a low-lying island in the Bay of Bengal where thousands of Rohingya have been relocated by Bangladeshi authorities.
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority who fled violence in neighboring Myanmar beginning in 2017, remain largely stateless and dependent on humanitarian aid. Nearly 1 million refugees are currently living in Bangladesh, placing pressure on local resources and host communities.
In its first year, the Rising Together initiative expanded “Women’s Friendly Spaces” and Youth Centers across the camps and nearby communities. These facilities provide confidential counseling for survivors of gender-based violence, referrals for medical care, psychosocial support and information on sexual and reproductive health.
Youth Centers offer structured activities aimed at leadership development and peacebuilding, including sessions under a curriculum known as Youth4Peace. Organizers say the centers provide safe environments where young people can gather, learn life skills and engage in community projects.
Catherine Breen Kamkong, UNFPA’s representative in Bangladesh, said Switzerland’s support is helping sustain life-saving services while creating opportunities for women and young people to take leadership roles within their communities.
Swiss officials said the initiative seeks to strengthen social cohesion between refugees and host populations, while addressing risks such as child marriage, gender-based violence and mental health stigma — issues that often intensify in protracted displacement settings.
Beyond direct services, the program has supported youth-led projects that transform shared spaces into gardens, libraries and informal learning corners. Peer-run outreach and helplines aim to connect vulnerable individuals with care and reduce stigma around mental health support.
As the project enters its second year, UNFPA and Swiss partners say they will continue prioritizing prevention of child marriage, women’s empowerment and youth leadership as part of longer-term efforts to build resilience in one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises.
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