Since early 2018, Acted has been actively responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, which was triggered by the conflict in Myanmar. Currently, Acted's operations are concentrated in the southern coastal region of Cox’s Bazar, near the Myanmar border. Acted supports all 33 Rohingya refugee camps in the area, located within the Kutupalong-Balukhali Expansion Site and Teknaf camps across the Ukhia and Teknaf subdistricts. Guided by its 3ZERO strategy, Acted's interventions in Bangladesh are focused on fostering Collaborative and Resilient Ecosystem Management, improving Access to Basic Services, and delivering Humanitarian Assistance.
Bangladesh faces significant challenges, including high poverty rates, food insecurity, and frequent natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Additionally, the country struggles with economic strain, inflation, and managing a large refugee population.
Additionally, the country hosts one of the largest refugee populations worldwide.The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh are home to nearly one million people who fled violence in Myanmar. These camps, located on deforested hills, offer limited infrastructure to support the large population. The region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods, erosion, landslides, and cyclones due to its geographic location. Camp conditions are extremely challenging, with makeshift shelters and critical shortages in shelter, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), protection, education, nutrition, healthcare, and income-generating opportunities. The situation is further complicated by rising violence and deeply rooted discriminatory social norms.
Acted in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, Acted is working towards its 3ZERO objectives through integrated projects addressing environmental degradation, poverty reduction, and community resilience. Ongoing projects like the Sustainable Land Management and Environmental Rehabilitation (SuLMER) initiative and Drain Monitoring and Intervention (DMI), or the Natural Resource Management (NRM) align with this approach by tackling soil erosion, enhancing flood resilience, and promoting sustainable resource use.
Acted’s reforestation efforts in the deforested Kutupalong-Balukhali zone, where bamboo, Arjun saplings, and vetiver are planted to increase water retention capacity of the soil and combat erosion, also reflect the 3ZERO objectives. These activities, carried out through Cash for Work programs, reduce carbon impact, restore ecosystems, and provide livelihoods for vulnerable communities, embodying Acted’s integrated approach to addressing urgent humanitarian needs while ensuring long-term environmental and social sustainability. Acted working in flagship activity, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), with a multi-sectoral approach to improve the quality of life and security of Rohingya refugees.
Pond Fencing in a Rohingya refugee camp activity from Site Management Support
A discussion from WASH activity funded by CDCS
Slope stabilization activity from project Natural Resource Management project, funded by WFP
Current projects
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