In the heart of Camp 03, nestled within the steep, crowded hills of Cox’s Bazar, 31-year-old Manjur Rahman begins each day with hope—something that once seemed far out of reach. A Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National (FDMN), Manjur arrived in Bangladesh in 2019, carrying with him not just memories of loss, but a determination to protect and provide for his family. He now lives with his elderly parents and younger siblings, all sharing a small shelter in a community shaped by struggle and survival.
For Manjur and his neighbors, life in the camp was marked by one of the most basic yet urgent needs—access to safe and dignified sanitation. The few existing latrines were old, poorly maintained, and insufficient for the population. As the facilities fell into disrepair, families were forced to practice open defecation, turning to isolated corners of the camp where privacy and safety were impossible to guarantee.
During the monsoon season, things became worse. Flooded pathways contaminated by human waste led to frequent outbreaks of cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses. Children were often sick, and elderly residents like Manjur’s parents grew weaker with each passing season. Women and girls, already vulnerable, bore the burden of shame and danger as they searched for places to relieve themselves out of sight.
“It was a life of constant fear fear of disease, fear for our daughters’ safety, fear that tomorrow might bring more sickness,” Manjur shared quietly.
The turning point came when PROTTYASHI initiated a targeted WASH intervention in Camp 03. Listening to the voices of people like Manjur, the team worked to construct new, disability-accessible latrines designed to withstand the terrain and serve the community with dignity. These latrines were carefully positioned across the camp, ensuring they were reachable for all households. But it wasn’t just about building structures PROTTYASHI also facilitated hygiene awareness sessions, empowering community members to understand the importance of safe sanitation and healthy habits.
The change was swift and visible. Open defecation declined significantly. Cleanliness returned to the narrow paths that once reeked of neglect. Families now had access to safe, private latrines something that had once felt like a distant dream. More importantly, children fell ill less often, and a sense of dignity returned to those who had once felt invisible.
