It is estimated around 12,000 people, most of whom escaped violence in neighboring Myanmar, are now homeless (1). The devastating fire destroyed an estimated 2805 shelters (3). The blaze was brought under control within three hours but at least 35 mosques and 21 learning centers for the refugees were also destroyed (2). The blaze destroyed health and education facilities, water networks and other daily need materials for people living in the camp. Refugees in the most affected areas lost their belongings, including registration documents and other essential things.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and no casualties have been reported but the fire on Sunday razed many shelters after spreading quickly through gas cylinders in kitchens.
In Cox’s Bazar, Rohingya refugees face significant hassle. The camps have been hit by floods and landslides, highlighting Bangladesh’s climate change vulnerability. Between January 2021 and December 2022, there were 222 fire incidents in the Rohingya camps including 60 cases of arson, according to a Bangladesh defense ministry report released last month (1).
The casualty reports indicate that:
- Approximately 2,805 shelters were destroyed by fire (3)
- Roughly 12,000 FDMN were left homeless due to the fire.
- 35 mosques and 21 learning centers were burnt down.
- Several other health posts were also destroyed in the fire.
The Rohingya are Muslims in largely Buddhist Myanmar, where they have faced persecution for generations. More than five years ago, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya poured into Bangladesh from neighboring Myanmar, where the marginalized group faced violence at the hands of the military described by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing.
About 1.2 million Rohingya—around 50 percent of them children—live in squalid conditions in Cox’s Bazar, in an area of less than seven square miles. Already, they have lost many things to previous violence in their homeland. Now because of this fire, these Rohingya for the second time become homeless and lost everything. These refugees are totally dependent on international aid. Providentially, different agencies are on the field with the support of the international community. Some agencies provide materials to meet their basic needs such as food, water or education. HAEFA (Health and Education for All) ,a NGO (non governmental organization), is one of those which is trying to help them from the beginning.
Although the fire was very closely located to the HAEFA health posts in Camp 09 and Camp 1W, the HAEFA medical team has been active in the affected areas from the very beginning of the fire. Preventive measures have been taken to protect the health posts as well as other medical facilities nearby, and medical assistance is being given to the thousands suffering from burns and injuries. HAEFA personnel have also been involved with the rescue efforts in the area, and as a result, critical healthcare services were given in time to many who needed it.
On March 6, an emergency medical team from HAEFA started working onsite to provide additional support to victims at the health posts. Md. Jahidul Islam, the Medical Assistant and Camp Coordinator at the Balukhali Camp 09, reports, “In the days since, we have treated three burn patients with dressing and medicine. The emergency required quick thinking and hard work, but it was all worth it.” The team has also collected important data, such as the previously stated numbers of shelters destroyed and newly homeless FDMNs, to better understand the extent of damage and work on the victims’ rehabilitation accordingly.
Kutupalong (Camp 1W):
- More than 2,715 patients visited Camp 1W in Kutupalong and received healthcare services.
- 133 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory
Balukhali (Camp 09):
- More than 1,805 patients visited Camp 09 in Balukhali and received healthcare services.
- 195 laboratory tests were conducted at HAEFA’s semi-automated NCD Pathological Laboratory
FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char:
- More than 2,322 patients visited the HAEFA Medical Check-Up and Treatment for FDMN Rohingya Camp at Bhashan Char and received healthcare services
