A large fire occurred inside a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, destroying at least 335 shelters and displacing more than 2,000 people.
The fire broke out in Camp No. 16, one of over 30 camps in the Cox's Bazar area, the world's largest refugee settlement, home to more than one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar.
Aid organizations noted that most refugee shelters are made from bamboo and plastic tarps, originally designed for use of only 6–12 months but have been in use for several years, densely packed together, making them highly vulnerable to fires.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that this fire has created a crisis on top of an existing crisis for refugee families already struggling to survive. Lance Borno, head of IOM's mission in Bangladesh, said in a statement, "When fire breaks out in crowded refugee camps, the impact extends beyond damaged structures. Families lose their homes, essential belongings, and access to basic services, immediately increasing their safety risks."
Firefighters took about three hours to control the blaze. Initially, no deaths were reported, only minor injuries. However, the Norwegian Refugee Council reported that many victims lost all their possessions, including identification documents and important papers, affecting their future access to aid.
The Norwegian Refugee Council revealed that there had been plans to build over 50,000 semi-permanent shelters to replace temporary homes, but these plans were suspended after international aid funding was cut in early 2025.
Additionally, the fire damaged water and sanitation systems, 11 learning centers, camp infrastructure, and internal pathways within the camp.
About 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar's Rakhine State in 2017 following a brutal military crackdown, which led to international accusations, including from the United Nations, of ethnic cleansing and genocide.
Meanwhile, ongoing fighting in Rakhine State between the Myanmar military and anti-junta groups since the 2021 coup continues to force tens of thousands of Rohingya to flee into Bangladesh.
Reports indicate that between 2018 and 2025, over 2,400 fires have occurred in Cox's Bazar refugee camps, affecting more than 100,000 refugees.
Source:AP
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