Massive Fire Rips Through Rohingya Refugee Camp In Bangladesh
On Sunday, a major fire rips through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh's southern district of Cox's Bazar, displacing over 12,000 people, according to local Superintendent of Police Muhammad Mahfuzul Islam.
Author:Paula M. GrahamReviewer:Hajra ShannonMar 07, 20236.4K Shares180K Views
On Sunday, a major fire rips through Rohingya refugee campin Bangladesh's southern district of Cox's Bazar, displacing over 12,000 people, according to local Superintendent of Police Muhammad Mahfuzul Islam.
The flames swept across the Kutupalong refugee camp in the afternoon, destroying about 2,000 huts before being brought under control, according to Islam.
So far, no injuries have been recorded, he added, adding that the source of the fire is unknown, but an investigation is underway.
According to him, authorities are collaborating with international and local humanitarian groups to offer food and temporary shelter to people who have lost their houses.
“„We will ensure no one sleeps under the open sky. Everyone will get a temporary shelte.- Mohammad Mahfuzul Islam, local Superintendent of Police
Massive fire at Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh leaves thousands homeless
The Extent Of The Damage
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at least 15 people were killed, and hundreds more were injured in the fire, which spread rapidly across the refugee camp.
The fire destroyed thousands of shelters, leaving around 50,000 refugees without homes, food, and other essential supplies. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“„Some 2,000 shelters have been burnt, leaving about 12,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals shelterless.- Mijanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee commissioner
The refugee camp contains individuals who left Myanmar as a result of a military crackdown on the Rohingya ethnic minority.
The Rohingya are Muslims who have experienced persecution for decades in mostly Buddhist Burma.
The current flight of Rohingya to Bangladesh started in August 2017, as Myanmar's military responded violently after a Rohingya militant group attacked numerous police stations.
The Humanitarian Response
The Bangladeshi government and various aid agencies have been working around the clock to provide emergency assistance to the affected refugees.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR have pledged to provide shelter, food, and water to the displaced refugees, but the response efforts have been hindered by logistical challenges, such as the limited access roads to the camp.
The Ongoing Rohingya Crisis
The fire has highlighted the ongoing crisis faced by the Rohingya refugees, who have been living in precarious conditions since they fled from Myanmar in 2017.
The Rohingya people have faced persecution and violence at the hands of the Myanmar military and have been denied citizenship and other basic rights.
The fire in the refugee camp has exacerbated the already dire situation, further underscoring the need for a long-term solution to the crisis.
In conclusion, the massive fire that engulfed the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh has caused widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis, highlighting the need for continued support to the affected refugees.
The international community must work towards finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis and ensure that the displaced refugees receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.
Final Words
The massive fire that engulfed the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh has caused widespread destruction and humanitarian crisis, highlighting the need for continued support to the affected refugees.
The international community must work towards finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis and ensure that the displaced refugees receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people and underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis, including the need for greater protection of human rights and dignity for all people, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnicity.
It is imperative that the international community redoubles its efforts to support the Rohingya refugees and work towards a just and peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Paula M. Graham
Author
Hajra Shannon
Reviewer
Latest Articles
Popular Articles