When Sayed Hossain fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in August 2017, he arrived in Bangladesh with nothing but hope for survival. He and his family settled in Camp-24 of the Rohingya refugee settlement in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, where life was harsh and uncertain. “Everything was uncertain for my family,” Sayed recalled.
Their shelter was cramped and unhygienic, with inadequate water and sanitation facilities and no waste management, making daily life a struggle for basic needs. Beyond these hardships, the camp faced severe environmental challenges. The Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf peninsula, home to some of Bangladesh’s most important forests, had lost over 3,200 hectares of land due to the influx of refugees. This deforestation caused soil erosion, unstable slopes, and a greater risk of landslides and flash floods, creating an urgent need to restore greenery and protect biodiversity.
Determined to change his situation, Sayed Hossain joined Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities, supported by ActionAid Bangladesh as a cooperating partner of the World Food Programme (WFP). Through Reforestation Care and Maintenance (RCM), he began planting and nurturing trees in Camp-24, his living area, work that not only restored degraded land but also strengthened ecological resilience. These efforts form part of a broader mission: “Strengthening natural resource management for creating resilient communities, supporting livelihoods, and promoting environmental sustainability.”
For Sayed, this opportunity was transformative. He now works with dignity, earns a stable income, and actively contributes to environmental restoration. The Cash-for-Work approach has provided financial security for his family. “We may have lost our country, but not our hope. Real change starts from us,” he said with determination.
His participation in training sessions has improved his knowledge and confidence, turning him into a community motivator who inspires others to keep their surroundings clean and safe. “I feel proud that I can help my community and make a difference,” Sayed shared.
Today, Sayed stands as an example of resilience and leadership. From a life of fear and dependency, he has become a confident, responsible individual who supports both his family and his community. His story reflects the power of integrated approaches, combining livelihood support with ecological restoration, to create lasting impact. Through NRM, individuals like Sayed are not only rebuilding their lives but also safeguarding critical ecosystems for future generations.
