Physical environment of Child Friendly Space (CFS) as an intervention of child protection: in case of forcibly displaced Rohingya Children in Cox’s Bazar

Abstract

Child friendly Space (CFS) has been introduced worldwide as an effective Child Protection response to the affected children in emergency to restore their resiliency and normalcy of life through psychosocial support programs. An effective physical environment is the primary need to accommodate the psychosocial activities of a CFS. The aim of this study is to explore the condition of physical environment of10 selected CFSs in Cox’s Bazar built for the forcedly displaced Rohingya children. The study assesses the minimum standards and the impact of varying local factors on them using both qualitative and quantitative method. Major findings revealed that several standard criteria were compromised due to hilly region and acute land scarcity of study area while the building material and technique, climate and culture largely characterise the physical environment of CFSs in Cox’s Bazar. The study helps to understand the challenges of local factors in planning and designing CFSs.