Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – With no proper playgrounds in the Rohingya refugee camps, young boys have no choice but to play on the roads, putting their lives at risk. The narrow, crowded pathways within the camps have become their only space for recreation, even as vehicles and pedestrians move through constantly.
The lack of safe play areas has long been a concern for Rohingya families, who fear for their children’s well-being. Parents worry about accidents and injuries, but they also recognize that play is essential for a child’s growth and mental health. Without designated playgrounds, children are forced to find any open space they can, often leading to dangerous situations.
A refugee father in Camp 07, expressed his distress, saying, “Children need to play, but there is no place for them. They run on the roads because they have nowhere else to go. We worry every day that an accident might happen.”
The overcrowded camps were never designed to accommodate such a large population, and open spaces for children were never prioritized. Over the years, as shelters expanded and infrastructure grew, the little space that once existed for children to play has disappeared.
The situation is not just a safety concern,it also affects the well-being of the refugee children. Many of them have already suffered immense trauma from being forcibly displaced from Myanmar. Psychologists and child development experts stress that play is crucial for children recovering from trauma, as it helps them express emotions, build friendships, and maintain a sense of normalcy in their disrupted lives.
Humanitarian organizations working in the camps have made efforts to set up temporary child-friendly spaces, but these are often too few in number and unable to accommodate all the children in need. Refugee leaders and community activists are calling for the establishment of dedicated play areas where children can enjoy their childhood safely.
“The international community must recognize that children in refugee camps deserve a safe environment to grow up in,” said a Rohingya youth volunteer. “If we truly care about their future, we need to give them proper spaces to play, learn, and heal from the hardships they have faced.”
Until such changes happen, Rohingya children will continue to play on the roads, facing the daily risk of accidents in the only space available to them.
