Devastating Fire Destroys 800 Homes, Displacing Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
A catastrophic fire tore through a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, decimating 800 homes and displacing thousands of individuals. The haunting incident unfolded in the southeastern region of the country, plunging the already vulnerable community into further turmoil.
The Rohingya, numbering around a million in Bangladesh, sought sanctuary there after fleeing a brutal crackdown on their mainly Muslim minority group in Myanmar back in 2017. This latest tragedy compounds their already harrowing plight.
The refugee commissioner, Mizanur Rahman, recounted the grim events as the fire engulfed the camp during the early hours of a Sunday morning. The camp, densely populated with bamboo and tarpaulin shelters, was no match for the merciless blaze. A staggering 800 homes were reduced to ashes, leaving an estimated 4,000 residents homeless.
READ ALSO: Lagos Building Collapse Leaves Thousands Homeless
Initial suspicions pointed to deliberate arson, prompting an urgent investigation into the devastating blaze. Alongside the homes, crucial facilities vital for the community’s survival—learning centers, mosques, and healthcare facilities—lay in ruins, totaling 120 structures destroyed or damaged by the inferno.
In a display of resilience, some refugees took desperate measures, dismantling their own homes to create makeshift firebreaks, striving to halt the fire’s merciless advance. Despite their efforts, the inferno’s wrath was relentless.
The aftermath saw a scene of desperation as families sought refuge in the few remaining community centers within the camp. The United Nations refugee agency swiftly responded, working to provide temporary shelter and aid to those left destitute by the tragedy.
The devastating fire not only claimed homes but also shattered hopes and exacerbated the challenges faced by the Rohingya community. It’s yet another chapter in their tumultuous journey, leaving a profound impact on the already fragile lives of these displaced individuals.
Source: Guardian NG
