DHAKA, Bangladesh: Several thousand Rohingya refugees were rendered homeless in the bone-chilling winter as a massive fire engulfed and destroyed tents in Cox’s Bazar, the southeastern city that houses around 1.2 million refugees. At least 1,040 refugee tents and shelters were completely consumed by the flames, as reported by Atish Chakma, the deputy assistant director of the Cox’s Bazar fire service.
Despite the relentless efforts of eight firefighter units over four hours, the fire was eventually extinguished, and fortunately, no casualties were reported. However, refugees on the ground insist that the actual number of houses destroyed is higher.
Mohammed Rezuwan Khan, a Rohingya who witnessed the tragedy, stated that approximately five to six thousand refugees were left homeless by the fire. He raised concerns of sabotage, accusing Myanmar insurgent groups of attempting to establish dominance in the camps.
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These Rohingya refugees, seeking shelter in Bangladesh, are survivors of ethnic persecution in Myanmar. The majority of them fled a brutal military crackdown in Rakhine in 2017, and since then, most have been residing in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar. The incident adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the Rohingya population, exacerbating their plight during the harsh winter.
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Samsud Doza assured that authorities are on-site, evaluating the situation, and working to accommodate the affected refugees by providing essential necessities such as food and warm clothing. The Rohingya crisis continues to demand global attention and humanitarian support.
