The UN reported that a huge fire raged through the Rohingya refugee camp located in southern Bangladesh on Thursday morning. More than 550 shelters were destroyed. The cause of the blaze is not yet known. No casualties have been reported at the fire that broke out early Thursday morning at the camp located at the Cox’s Bazaar district.
“A fire broke out last night in Nayapara Camp Volunteers and refugees were the first responders, then the fire dept. rushed in
Coordinated response ongoing w/ partners and authorities 0 casualty. Over 550 refugee shelters, 150 shops damaged,” UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Bangladesh tweeted. The homes housed around 3,500 people and around 150 shops were totally or partially destroyed. Around 150 shops were either totally or partially destroyed.
“Another devastating blow for the Rohingya people who have endured unspeakable hardship for years, Onno van Manen, Save the Children's Country Director in Bangladesh told CNN, speaking of the fire.
More than 1 million Rohingya refugees live in Cox’s Bazaar district. They have been living there since 2017, after a military crackdown on the region, they mainly inhibited, Rakhine, Myanmar in January 2016.
While some displaced families are living with relatives, others stay put as they have no where else to go. Footage from the scene of the incident shows people looking through the charred remains, trying to salvage any belongings.
