When Setara Begum crossed the Naf River into Bangladesh seven years ago with her husband and young son, she left behind her home in Rakhine, Myanmar, and faced a future filled with uncertainty. Arriving in Cox’s Bazar, she encountered overcrowded refugee camps with little access to food, clean water, or safe shelter, compounding the trauma of fleeing violence. The birth of her second child in the camp intensified her worries about the future, education, and opportunities in such difficult conditions.
Amid the chaos, Setara learned about a centre in the camp offering a safe space for women, men, and children to develop skills and find support. Initially hesitant, she eventually visited the centre and found a welcoming environment where women sewed, shared stories, and laughed together. The bright fabrics and warm atmosphere gave her a rare sense of peace and safety, restoring a feeling of normalcy she had not experienced since leaving Myanmar.
Setara enrolled in a three-month tailoring course, learning skills such as embroidery, making prayer caps, and using a sewing machine. Completing her first cap gave her a sense of pride and independence, as she realized she could contribute economically and stand on her own. Beyond acquiring skills, the centre provided her with belonging, community, and emotional support, helping her overcome the isolation and trauma of camp life.
The DAPS – Dignity, Access, Participation, and Safety – centres, run by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and the IFRC, are designed to restore hope, protect vulnerable populations, and build practical skills in Cox’s Bazar. These centres offer training for men and women in sewing, embroidery, mat and basket making, and other crafts, alongside informal learning and play spaces for children. They also provide awareness sessions on health, hygiene, and protection for all ages.
Through outreach and door-to-door visits by community volunteers, families like Setara’s are guided to these centres, gaining access not only to skill-building opportunities but also to dignity, safety, and a renewed sense of hope. These initiatives illustrate how practical support, social connection, and safe spaces can transform the lives of displaced families, helping them rebuild their futures with confidence and resilience.
