In the early hours of today, a fire swept through a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, leaving nearly 7,000 individuals without homes, as reported by the UN Refugee Agency. The blaze, which started around 1:00 am, was brought under control by 4:00 am. This incident marks the first significant fire in the Rohingya camp this year, with nearly 800 shelters feared destroyed.
Approximately 93 shelters suffered partial damage, while around 120 essential facilities, including learning centers, mosques, healthcare centers, restrooms, bathing facilities, water points, and solar street lights, were destroyed or damaged. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported thus far, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) statement in Dhaka.
In response to the devastating fire that affected Camp 5, one of the 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar housing around a million Rohingyas, UNHCR and humanitarian partners are working urgently to assist. Those displaced by the fire seek temporary shelter in community centers within the camp, including temporary communal shelters, where they receive emergency food aid, including fortified biscuits and hot meals.
While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the government authorities have assured that an investigation will be conducted, as stated by the UN Refugee Agency.
