Rohingya camp
EU scales up assistance for fire victims in Cox’s Bazar
The European Union has scaled up its support providing an additional €150,000 for the Rohingyas affected by the massive fire that swept through Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar earlier this month.
This follows the initial assistance of €500,000 announced last week as an immediate response to the blaze.
Also Read: Rohingya Camp Fire: Australia announces additional $10mn for affected people
The aid will directly benefit 27,500 of the most affected people.
“The fire has caused many Rohingya refugees, who have lived in displacement in camps over the past three years, to yet again lose almost everything,” said Daniela D'Urso who oversees the EU’s humanitarian response in Bangladesh.
“The additional funding from the European Union will ensure our partners on the ground are able to provide essential assistance to those most in need.”
This EU-funding supports the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in delivering much-needed assistance through the distribution of ready-to-eat food packs, hygiene kits and water buckets, to ensure the daily needs of the affected refugees are met during displacement. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF )of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Thursday.
Also Read: Rohingya camp fire: 5 killed, hundreds rendered homeless
More than 10 people were killed and nearly 50,000 were affected, including injured and missing refugees, after a huge fire broke out on 22 March in Cox’s Bazar’s crowded Rohingya camp settlements.
Following the blaze, a number of facilities, including more than 10,000 homes, hospitals, learning centres, mosques and distribution points, have subsequently been destroyed or heavily damaged.
The European Union together with its Member States is the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid.
Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity towards people in need around the world.
It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.
Through its European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the European Union helps over 120 million victims of conflicts and disasters every year. For more information, please visit ECHO's website.
The European Commission has signed a EUR 3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.
3 Rohingyas killed in Ukhiya fire
At least three Rohingyas were killed Friday as a fire – the second in less than two weeks – broke out in the makeshift Kutupalong Bazar near a Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar.
The fire started in a market store and quickly spread to seven nearby shops in the early hours when residents of the sprawling Kutupalong camp were asleep.
The deceased – Ansar Ullah, 20, Faridul Islam, 25, and Ayas, 22 – used to work in a shop in the market.
They died on the spot as the fire gutted seven clothing stores and damaged 10 to 12 other shops, Kutupalong Bazar Committee President Md Helal Uddin, also the member of Rajapalong Union Parishad said.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
Md Imdadul Haque, Ukhiya Fire Service Station in-charge, said: "We are suspecting that the fire originated from an electric short circuit around 4:30am in one of the Rohingya shops. It took us several hours to bring the blaze under control."
"Three charred bodies were recovered from the spot after we put out the fire," Imdadul said.
On March 22, a massive fire tore through the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya, killing 11 people.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
The fire turned 9,300 shanties, 136 learning centres and a police barrack into ashes, displaced more than 45,000 people.
Aid agencies and the government had started rebuilding shelters after the large scale fire ripped through the camp last month.
Rohingya Camp Fire: Australia announces additional $10mn for affected people
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne on Thursday (March 25, 2021) announced an additional $10 million in emergency assistance from the existing humanitarian budget to those affected by the fire at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp.
“This funding is in addition to the over $260 million Australia has provided to the humanitarian response for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh since 2017,” said Senator Payne.
Also read: $ 20mn required to respond to urgent needs after Rohingya camps fire: IOM
Their additional support will be provided through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Population Fund.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the devastating fire at Kutupalong Balukali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. I offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones,” she said in a statement.
The impact on over 120,000 people and the extensive damage to food distribution centres, health clinics, learning centres and essential facilities is of great concern to Australia and the international community, said the Australian Minister.
Also read: Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
She commended the response of the government of Bangladesh and Rohingya volunteers who assisted with bringing the fire under control and the initial rescue operation, and the humanitarian agencies delivering food assistance, emergency shelter, and water and sanitation services for those affected.
“Australia is committed to sustaining our humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar,” she said.
Also read: Australia working closely with Bangladesh: Marise Payne
Maldives sends message of sympathy over Rohingya camp fire
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has sent a message of sympathy to his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen, MP, following the devastating fire that blazed through the Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar recently.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news of the massive fire that swept through the Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, causing loss of lives, destroying homes, and displacing thousands of refugees," he said on Wednesday.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The government and the people of the Maldives, joined him in conveying their profound sympathy and condolences to the government and the people of Bangladesh, and the Rohingyas directly impacted by this tragic incident, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
"I sincerely hope that the efforts of the response teams continue swiftly and successfully, and wish speedy recovery for those affected by this calamity," the message reads.
Home Minister pledges to punish those behind Rohingya camp fire
Those involved in the blaze at the Balukhali Rohingya camp in Ukhia upazila of Cox's Bazar would be brought under the law, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said during a brief stopover at a Rohingya camp in Ukhia on Wednesday afternoon.
An investigation committee has been formed. They will investigate and submit a report to the government. If any misconduct or negligence found in the report government will take necessary steps.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The minister said the government had no plans to relocate those who had lost their homes in the fire to Bhasanchar.
No Rohingya will be forcibly taken to Bhasanchar. However, Bhasan Char is now a much developed place. If the people, who have lost home by fire, want to go there government must take them there.
Also read: Fire at Rohingya camp caused 'enormous devastation': UNICEF
He mentioned that the first step of the government is to send the Rohingyas back to their country Myanmar. Bangladesh hopes that the world community will play a role in sending the Rohingya back to their Myanmar.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan arrived at the Rohingya camp by helicopter at afternoon. He visited the fire affected Rohingya camps and distributed clothes to the affected. Later he spoke to the affected Rohingyas in Balukhali camp. The minister expressed his sorrow over the blaze and assured assistance to all the victims.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
On March 22, 11 Rohingyas were killed in a devastating fire at five Rohingya camps in Balukhali of Ukhia upazila. About 10,000 were burned and 45 thousand Rohingyas lost their houses.
$ 20mn required to respond to urgent needs after Rohingya camps fire: IOM
International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pledged US$ 1 million from its emergency fund to the relief efforts after the Rohingya camps fire and it said further US$ 20 million is required to respond to the most urgent needs.
The massive fire swept through three IOM-managed sites Monday displacing roughly 45,000 Rohingya refugees and causing catastrophic damage in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, the world’s largest refugee camp.
Also read:Dhaka seeks proactive global support to end Rohingya crisis
More than 10,000 shelters were damaged in the fire and the largest health centre in the camp was destroyed.
The loss of the 24/7 health centre, which served more than 55,000 people in the last year, now further complicates the challenge of responding to COVID-19, IOM said.
The fire that raged through the camps only slowed once it reached the main roads, slopes, canals and rice fields.
It has since subsided, but not before consuming essential facilities, shelters and the personal belongings of tens of thousands of people.
Also read:IOM, UK EMT continue Covid health support for Rohingyas
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
According to humanitarian agencies and local authorities, 11 people have lost their lives, more than 500 people have been injured and roughly 400 are still missing.
“This disaster is a terrible setback that exacerbates the humanitarian needs of refugees in Cox’s Bazar,” said IOM’s Director General António Vitorino.
"We will need to start from zero to rebuild. Our hearts are with all those affected. We are committed to helping them build back safer with the support of the government of Bangladesh, our donors, partners and humanitarian actors.”
In the immediate aftermath, government response services, including the fire brigade, the army and humanitarian agencies rushed to the area to put out the fire.
Rohingya camp fire: Humanitarian community calls for compassion
The humanitarian community has called for compassion for Rohingyas in Bangladesh as a massive fire ravaged through camps leaving thousands destitute.
"We’re calling for a show of compassion and solidarity towards the Rohingya refugee population during this very difficult time," the community said in a joint press statement on Tuesday night.
Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) issued the joint press statement.
It said they are deeply concerned about the safety and wellbeing of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh left destitute by the fire that raged through four camps on March 22.
Fire services and civil defence, emergency and response teams and aid agencies rushed to the areas affected by the fire and helped move refugees to safer locations, the statement reads.
"Tragically, reports from the camps indicate that at least 11 people are said to have lost their lives in the fire and more than 500 others have been injured. Around 400 people are unaccounted for," it said.
Also read: Rohingya camp fire: Death toll climbs to 11
The government authorities and aid agencies worked throughout the night to help those impacted and assess damages in the camps.
The refugees who fled the fires are taking shelter in various locations.
Many are staying with relatives or in learning and transit centres which are accommodating the most vulnerable people.
The government of Bangladesh and aid agencies are providing water, hot meals and high energy biscuits as well as emergency healthcare to those affected.
The fire consumed shelters and personal belongings of refugees as well as essential facilities such as hospitals, primary health facilities, learning centres, and women-friendly spaces in the camps.
"Teams on the ground say the scale and intensity of the fire is unlike anything seen before in the camps," the statement said.
Also read: Fire at Rohingya camp caused 'enormous devastation': UNICEF
Some 24 hours into the response, preliminary assessments by aid agencies have found that some 10,000 Rohingya refugee families (approximately 45,000 persons) were displaced and a similar number of shelters have been damaged or destroyed in the camps as a result of the fire. Assessments are still ongoing.
"As the humanitarian response continues, healthcare and mental health support is being provided to those who’ve been injured or experienced stress as well as first line responders."
Moving forward, it said, the priority will be to reunite families and children who were separated during the fire and the subsequent movements to safe places, as well as to identify and support persons with specific needs, such as older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Aid agencies are also monitoring the safety conditions of refugees to mitigate risks, as they remain vulnerable to incidents of theft, harassment, and exploitation.
Another priority for authorities and humanitarian actors will be to replace the key documentation that Rohingya refugees lost in the fire, it said.
Rescue efforts proved to be challenging as a result of the presence of perimeter fencing. In some instances, refugees themselves cut through the fence to escape the fire.
Also read: Fire breaks out at Rohingya camp in Ukhiya
Limited mobile connectivity in the camps also hampered the ability of refugees to call for immediate assistance and contact their families, the statement said.
"It also continues to limit the coordination of the aid response."
Refugee volunteers are playing an invaluable role in the response.
They are the first responders, helping people to safety, supporting fire response efforts and continue to work to support aid efforts on the ground.
The humanitarian community is urging the public to respect privacy of those Rohingya refugee families who have either lost family members or have been impacted by fires.
Ensuring safety of Rohingya women the main challenge: Brac
Around 52% of Rohingya refugees are women and girl and 55% of them are between 18-59 years. However, ensuring the safety of Rohingya women is the main challenge, according to Brac.