Fire at Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

45,000 people are now homeless and in urgent need of food, water and sanitation.

The fire started on Monday and spread rapidly over several hours in the crowded camps. Thousands of homes were destroyed before the fire was brought under control. The devastation is widespread and initial reports suggest that 15 people have lost their lives and 560 have been injured. Several hundred people are still missing.

Photo: Mutasim Billah

"We are deeply concerned for the 10,000 families who now have nowhere to go. The fire has destroyed vital infrastructure such as water tanks and sanitation facilities. People are now in urgent need of food, drinking water and toilets," said Enamul Hoque, who is leading Oxfam's disaster response. Oxfam has started relief efforts on the ground, both with firefighting and clean water.

"We have been working all night to set up water tanks and install taps with clean drinking water. The disaster team also provided the people affected with hygiene items and emergency latrines. It will take time to repair water systems, which increases the risk of disease spread, especially with the monsoon season approaching."

Enamul Hoque, head of Oxfam's disaster response in Coz Bazar

The refugee camps in Cox's Bazar are overcrowded, with approximately 40 000 people per square kilometer. The 10,000 families affected by the fire are now seeking temporary shelter in other densely populated camps, further increasing the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.

A top priority in the coming days is to reunite families separated in the fire. Another is to create safe conditions for those who have now lost their homes. Women and girls are often the worst affected in these types of crises and disasters and Oxfam will work with other humanitarian actors to find solutions to ensure their safety. Oxfam will also distribute soap, food and household items such as solar lamps.