In the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, emergencies like fires can spread quickly, destroying shelters and putting lives at risk. With support from EU humanitarian aid, Acted is training volunteers as first responders, strengthening community resilience.
Since May 2023, more than 3,600 volunteers, including 962 women, have received training in fire safety, flood response, and basic repair and emergency preparedness. Volunteers like Nadira show how courage and skills can protect families and neighbours, helping communities respond effectively when disaster strikes.
The Rohingya, who were forced to flee violence and human rights abuses in their home country Myanmar, live in camps that are among the most densely populated areas in the world. They are made of bamboo and tarpaulin shelters, which are extremely flammable and increases the risk of fire incidents. During the monsoon season, heavy rains and flooding create even more risks for families living there.
To help communities stay safe, Acted launched a disaster preparedness initiative in May 2023 with EU support. Through this effort, community volunteers receive practical training in flood response, fire safety, and how to use and look after the mobile fire-fighting equipment available in the camps. So far, over 3,600 volunteers have been trained, helping ensure faster, more organised responses to emergencies across all 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
Empowering volunteers through fire safety training
The training equips volunteers with practical skills and essential knowledge, from understanding different types of fires to using firefighting equipment and taking part in live drills. Among these volunteers is Nadira (name has been changed to protect identity), who has turned personal hardship into strength. With the life-saving skills she has gained, she now responds to emergencies and encourages other women to get involved.
Nadira joined the Site Management Support team in 2021 after facing personal and financial challenges. Through the programme, she learned how to act quickly and safely during fire incidents, and now plays a vital role in protecting her community. During a kitchen fire, Nadira and her fellow volunteers responded without hesitation, stopping the flames from spreading. Her courage and skills have inspired other women to step forward, breaking barriers and helping build stronger, safer communities.
Nadira’s journey: from hardship to heroism
Nadira has lived in the Rohingya camps since 2017. As the sole earner for her household, she struggled to support her family, which led her to join Acted’s volunteer programme in 2021. Life in the camp exposed her to repeated fire incidents, including a devastating blaze in December 2024 that destroyed 748 shelters and affected 3,879 individuals.
The scale of the destruction deeply affected her and strengthened her determination to help. Through Acted’s fire safety training, she gained the confidence and skills to respond effectively, tackling the Camp 1W fire and many others since.
Acted and the EU will continue to expand training and support, ensuring that even more volunteers are ready to respond when disaster strikes. Nadira’s story shows how empowered communities can turn resilience into a shared reality and hope for a safer future grows stronger every day.
