Help Rohingya Refugees Become New Moms Safely

Khaleda and her husband have called the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar home for years, having fled Myanmar to seek safety and a better future. At 30 years old, Khaleda is a mother of four – three sons and one daughter.

Life in the refugee camp has not been easy, but Khaleda found support and guidance from the dedicated community health workers who regularly visited her home in the Rohingya camp. These visits, along with informative courtyard sessions held in her community, taught Khaleda valuable information about maternal healthcare and family planning.

It was through one of these interactions that Khaleda learned about the benefits of delivering her last child, Runa, in a healthcare facility rather than at home. This experience instilled in her a sense of trust and confidence in midwives and the healthcare services available to her.

For $100, you can fund a midwife's work for a week so she can help women like Khaleda to safely deliver their babies.

In addition to maternal health, the community health workers introduced Khaleda to various family planning options. This information was transformative. Understanding the importance of managing the size of her family for their overall well-being, Khaleda made an informed decision to opt for an implant, a method of contraception that would prevent pregnancy for four years.

“Too many children means too much responsibility,” Khaleda shared with us afterwawrd. "The implant has brought me peace, allowing me to care for my existing children without the added stress of an unplanned pregnancy." She added, feeling empowered and in control of her reproductive health.

One of the health workers in the camp, Amina, has been a consistent source of support for Khaleda. “I remember when Amina first visited me,” Khaleda recalls. “I was overwhelmed with my responsibilities, and the idea of more children was frightening. Amina patiently explained to me the various family planning methods."

Amina's dedication goes beyond just providing information. She often sits with Khaleda and other women in the camp, discussing not just health, but also the cultural beliefs that sometimes conflict with modern family planning methods.

“In our community, there is a strong belief that children are a blessing from Allah and that it's not our place to prevent births,” Amina explains. “But we also have to consider the health and future of the children we already have.” 

$150 provides supplies, medications and equipment to health clinics so women can have access to famly planning resources and also receive care for obstetric emergencies. 

Khaleda’s journey was not without its challenges. Convincing her husband and her family initially about the implant was difficult. But Khaleda is glad she persisted and got the implant. Overall, her experience with the implant has been positive, and she plans to continue using this method after the current one reaches the end of its lifespan.

Her story teaches us that even in the most trying circumstances, empowerment is just a choice away. Her courageous journey reminds us that family planning is more than a healthcare issue; it’s a woman’s path to reclaiming control of her life. It highlights the importance of community health initiatives and the profound difference they can make in the lives of individuals.

Through continuous awareness sessions and access to essential health services, UNFPA empowers women like Khaleda to make informed choices about their reproductive health, ensuring better futures for their families living in the Rohingya refugee camps. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of this vital work. For just $45, you can further support women and girls in Rohingya by providing essential hygiene and menstrual supplies. 

In the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, a remarkable initiative is transforming the lives of teeanage girls and women. Menstrual health, often overlooked in refugee and host communities, have taken center stage through a program initiated by UNFPA.

Recognizing the Urgency: Addressing Menstrual Health Challenges

In these densely populated camps, menstruation remains shrouded in taboos and misconceptions, presenting formidable obstacles to proper menstrual health management. These challenges lead to unhealthy practices, increasing the risk of infections and long-term health issues.

A gift of $150 provides supplies, medications, and equipment to a health clinic to help safely manage emergency cases, such as infection.

That's why UNFPA launched a program focusing on self-reliance skills education, with a particular emphasis on reusable sanitary pad production. The program's hands-on approach covers everything from sourcing materials to crafting pads with proper hygiene standards. It covers essential aspects such as materials, fabrics, and effective production techniques. Through this initiative, teenage girls and young women gain valuable skills that empower them to create sanitary pads that are not only cost-effective but also meet stringent hygiene standards.

“I learned how to make reusable sanitary pads, and now I can make them for my sisters”, Minara, a girl from a Rohingya camp shared with us.

In its inaugural year in 2023, the initiative touched the lives of over 4,000 individuals, including 2,050 teenage girls and 2,112 female caregivers, who actively participated in skill-building training sessions across camps and host communities. Collectively, these women and girls successfully produced 5,470 reusable pads. Of these, 2,015 pads have been distributed to beneficiaries, while the remainder have been pre-positioned for emergency preparedness efforts.

A gift of $25 can provide a woman with hygiene essentials for six months, enabling her to maintain her dignity no matter what.

Reusable pad-making is a life skill that extends beyond personal needs. By mastering this art, the women and girls involved can save money, create thoughtful gifts for special occasions, and enable younger sisters and family members to manage their periods without financial constraints.

To support this initiative, we have equipped 8 Adolescent & Youth Centers with sewing machines and skilled mentors have been enlisted to deliver self-reliance skills sessions. By recruiting and training mentors from communities, UNFPA not only addresses a practical need for menstrual health management but also empowers girls and women, fosters their economic independence, and engages with community members.

The production of sanitary pads within the Youth Centers is not just about managing a biological process; it's about empowerment, education, and community building. We are not only addressing a critical need but also sowing the seeds for a more self-reliant and empowered future for women and girls in Cox's Bazar.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this vital work. A donation of $45 provides three women and girls with dignity kits, allowing them to manage their periods as our program continues to grow. 

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