Assistive devices bringing new freedoms for people with disabilities in Cox's Bazar

Above: Sumaiyer Akter, 14, and her mother Nurnahar said life has improved for them both since Sumaiyer received a wheelchair. Photo: Dushtha Shasthya Kendra

Above: 21-year-old Anwar Begum says she is really enjoying being able to move around on her own in the home after receiving a wheelchair. Photo: Dushtha Shasthya Kendra

The Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh has a strong inclusion focus, with partners working to support people with disabilities both in Rohingya camps and host communities to have access to the services they need and opportunities they deserve.

This year, Christian Aid, a member of the EKOTA Consortium, and local partner Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK) carried out a qualitative survey of people living with disabilities in displaced persons camps and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

The survey looked at access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, accessibility issues, and opportunities to become involved in income-generating activities.

The results of the survey identified several areas of unmet need.

Since carrying out the survey, Christian Aid and DSK have focused their work on latrine repairs and upgrades, improving accessways and installing solar lights to improve safety, dignity and useability of these essential facilities.

In addition to the latrine repairs, the survey identified a need for more assistive devices for people with disabilities.

With advice from a physician, DSK distributed assistive devices to 78 (M: 36, F: 42) persons with disabilities, with a third of the devices going to host communities and the remainder distributed in Rohingya camps.

The devices included 19 sets of crutches, 36 wheelchairs, 12 walking sticks, six commode chairs and five pairs of eyeglasses. Users were provided with an orientation on using the devices safely and effectively.

DSK staff carried out follow-up visits staff to recipients at their homes, and found the distributed devices had been highly effective in improving quality of life and mobility.

For 21-year-old Anwar Begum, a refugee in Camp 15 at Cox’s Bazar, a wheelchair has given her more independence.

Above: 78-year-old Najir Hossain can now go to the market independently after receiving crutches. Photo: Dushtha Shasthya Kendra

‘’Before receiving the wheelchair, my mother had to carry me to the latrine which was quite difficult for her,” Anwar said. “Now I can go to the latrine by myself with a little support from my mother. Within the house, I can move by myself and I’m really enjoying this.’’

A set of crutches has improved 78-year-old Najir Hossain’s access to community and social activities in the camp.

“After receiving the hand crutches, now I can go to the mosque regularly and attend my prayers in due time. Also, I can go to market to meet my friends without any interruption or [need for] support from others,” he told DSK staff.

Nurnahar, the mother of 14-year-old Sumaiyer Akter, who lives in a host community in Ramu, said that her daughter’s new wheelchair had given her independence, and freed up her time.

‘’Now Sumaiya can go out of the room on her own using this wheelchair. She is doing some of her own work. Now I can spend more time on other household chores,” Nurnahar told DSK.

Christian Aid has been providing integrated humanitarian assistance in Cox’s Bazar since 2017 in partnership with DSK as part of the EKOTA Consortium and the AHP Bangladesh Response, supported by the Australian Government.