January 7, Cox’s Bazaar – A devastating fire erupted in the Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh in the early hours of January 7, according to reports from Rohingya refugees. The blaze, which started around 1:00 a.m., quickly spread through Block C-1 in Kutupalong Rohingya Refugee Camp No. 5, engulfing shelters in various blocks, including C-2, C-3, C-5, C-6, C-7, A-7, A-8, B-4, and D-1. More than 1,000 huts where refugees reside were consumed by the flames.
Members of the Arakan Rohingya Society and general public currently on the ground, providing assistance to the victims of the fire. This comes in the wake of another fire incident on December 31, where the Barukhali Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf Township witnessed nearly 30 shelters being destroyed.
The Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, known as the world’s largest refugee camp, have been facing ongoing threats due to their high population density and inadequate construction. The lack of proper infrastructure has rendered the camps susceptible to fires, putting the lives and homes of thousands of refugees at constant risk.
Rohingya refugees expressed their concerns, emphasizing that the camps are not equipped with proper plans and support to effectively respond to emergency situations. The continuous vulnerability to natural disasters highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Updates on the ongoing situation and relief efforts will be provided as more information becomes available.