**Background:** Following the August 2017 influx of approximately 745,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, reports of human trafficking (HT) emerged, particularly targeting women and girls. The International Organization of Migration (IOM) documented 99 cases of HT, including 35 girls, 31 women, 8 boys, and 25 men. Non-state actors, including the NGO Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), implemented counter-trafficking (CT) and safe migration programs with IOM funding. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions.
**Methods:** The study used a mixed-methods design in two phases. Phase 1 involved documentary review of project activities, training manuals, and quarterly progress reports. Phase 2 was a cross-sectional evaluation using key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted between September and October 2019. A total of 48 interviews were conducted with beneficiary and non-beneficiary school teachers and journalists. Four FGDs were held with Majhis (Rohingya community leaders), with 8 Majhis per session. Quantitative data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale (5=very confident to 1=very low confident) and analyzed using SPSS-25. Cronbach's alpha was 0.9, indicating excellent internal consistency. The study was approved by the University of Chittagong's Ethics Committee (Protocol number: CUNI-13/0022).
**Key Results:** Beneficiary participants (school teachers and journalists) had a mean Likert score of 4.2, compared to 2.6 for non-beneficiaries. The average score across all beneficiary groups was 3.6 (SD=0.36), while non-beneficiary groups averaged 2.5 (SD=0.41). Beneficiary participants could identify nine types of acts and rules related to HT, including the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, Bangladesh Constitution Articles 34 and 38, and the Child Act 1974. Non-beneficiaries were largely unaware of these laws. Beneficiary Rohingya community members identified nine causes of HT (e.g., financial insolvency, unemployment, lack of awareness) and six types of traffickers (relatives, neighbors, friends, local leaders, employers, unknown persons). They also identified six types of HT incidences (threat, force, kidnapping, exploitation, taking advantage of disadvantaged situations, offering money). Beneficiary Majhis could confidently explain legal procedures and referral services, while non-beneficiary Majhis had a mean score of only 2.0. Among intervention activities, awareness through Radio Naf was rated most useful (84% willing to participate again), followed by street dramas (82%) and day observations (74%). Courtyard meetings (68%) and orientation sessions with Majhis (63%) were rated useful but needed improvement. Key weaknesses identified included: insufficient number of meetings, short meeting durations, low women's participation, long gaps between sessions, use of Chittagonian instead of Rohingya language on Radio Naf, and overcrowding at meetings.
**Clinical Implications:** While not a clinical study, the findings have direct implications for public health and protection in humanitarian settings. Human trafficking is associated with severe physical and mental health consequences, including physical injury, mental depression, and psychological stigmatization. The study demonstrates that community-based awareness programs can significantly improve knowledge of HT risks and safe migration, potentially reducing trafficking-related morbidity. Recommendations include: more frequent and longer courtyard meetings, inclusion of law enforcement agencies (LEA) in training, use of Rohingya language for radio broadcasts, ensuring sufficient food to reduce push factors, and engaging more women participants. The study concludes that non-state actors have a significant role in preventing HT and promoting CT and safe migration for Rohingyas in Bangladesh.