Building Capacity in Crisis : Evaluating a Health Assistant Training Program for Young Rohingya Refugee Women

Alnaji, Nada and Akesson, Bree and Stewart-Tufescu, Ashley and Hafiz, Md Golam and Hoque, Shahidul and Hoque, Farhana Ul and Alyahya, Rayyan A. and Naim, Carine and Alrkabi, Sulafa Zainalabden and ElRayes, Wael and Mahmood, Iftikher (2026) Building Capacity in Crisis : Evaluating a Health Assistant Training Program for Young Rohingya Refugee Women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23 (1): 127. ISSN 1660-4601

Abstract

Background: The Rohingya refugee crisis is one of the largest humanitarian emergencies of the 21st century, with nearly one million Rohingya residing in overcrowded camps in southern Bangladesh. Women and children face the greatest vulnerabilities, including inadequate access to education and healthcare, which exacerbates their risks and limits opportunities for personal and community development. While international organizations continue to provide aid, resources remain insufficient, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable interventions. Objectives: The Hope Foundation for Women and Children in Bangladesh launched a pilot project for the Health Assistant Training (HAT) program to address critical gaps in healthcare and education for the Rohingya community. This nine-month training program equips young Rohingya women with essential knowledge and skills to support maternal health services in both clinical and community settings. Design: We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the HAT Program to explore its acceptance and anticipated benefits for both participants and the community. Methods: The research team used semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and field observations to explore the HAT Program’s impact on young Rohingya women and their community. They analyzed data through thematic analysis, developing a coding framework and identifying key themes to uncover patterns and insights. Results: The results were categorized into four themes: (1) community acceptance of the HAT Program, (2) the HAT Program’s impact on the health assistant trainees, (3) the impact of the HAT Program on the community, and (4) the potential ways to expand the HAT Program. Conclusions: This research underscores the program’s impact on improving healthcare access, enhancing women’s empowerment, and promoting community resilience. By situating this initiative within the broader context of refugee health, education, and capacity-building, this research highlights the HAT program’s potential as a replicable model in Bangladesh and in other humanitarian settings.