March 6th, 2023: A massive fire tore through a refugee camp for Rohingya people in southern Bangladesh, leaving thousands homeless, according to fire officials and the United Nations. The blaze broke out on Sunday in Cox's Bazar, a border district where more than one million Rohingya refugees live after fleeing a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. The fire destroyed at least 2,000 huts, as well as water networks, learning centers, and health facilities, among other infrastructure.

Despite the challenging terrain, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and UNHCR funded Mobile Fire Fighting Units responded quickly to support firefighting operations and evacuations. BDRCS delivered 1,000 tents for immediate relief and distributed food parcels, blankets, and mosquito nets in coordination with the Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner of the Government of Bangladesh to the affected people.

Rohingya refugee volunteers trained on firefighting and local fire services played a vital role in controlling the fire.

At least 200 volunteers, along with the Fire Service and Civil Defense team of Cox's Bazar, finally doused the flames by late evening. However, the fire left thousands of people homeless, with each hut housing four to five people, and half of the population being women and children.

Despite not reporting any casualties so far, fire and rescue officials are still searching for people. The frequency of such fires brings needless suffering to the camp residents who have already been displaced for more than five years. The government, UNHCR, and partners are coordinating further to support the affected people.

During this time, we extend our condolences and sympathies to those affected by the tragic event. The displacement of a significant number of Rohingya people due to the devastating inferno at a refugee camp in southern Bangladesh on March 6th, 2023 is a severe crisis. As a minimum, we are offering any assistance we can provide to UNHCR in Bangladesh.