BRAC has launched an urgent response to a devastating fire that broke out in Camp 16, one of the Rohingya refugee camp sections in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
The fire began at approximately 03:00 local time on Tuesday, January 20, spreading rapidly among three blocks of shelters, most of which were constructed with bamboo. Community members, volunteers, and the Fire Service and Civil Defence worked for two hours to extinguish the blaze, but 2,185 people have been displaced, many of whom were already living in extremely vulnerable conditions.
There are no reported fatalities, but five people sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment.
Initial assessments show that the fire fully destroyed 369 shelters, partially damaged 112 others, and caused an additional 74 shelters to be dismantled. All affected families have temporarily taken shelter with friends or relatives within the camp, increasing pressure on already overcrowded living conditions. The fire also caused damage to WASH facilities, learning centers and site infrastructure, raising concerns about health, safety and access to essential services.
The blaze also ruined 11 learning centers, including seven that BRAC operates, two mosques, and adult learning centers. Critical community services, including 86 bathrooms, 68 bathing cubicles, 11 water points, and one water network were also impacted.
BRAC is supporting families with emergency assistance and coordinating with partners to restore shelters, water and sanitation facilities and essential services.
Staff are providing mental health support to individuals experiencing psychological distress, delivering primary health care to those who have been injured, and safely transporting burned waste from the camps to designated landfill sites. In addition, BRAC field workers are visiting Rohingya households to assess the situation and ensure affected community members receive necessary support.
You can support BRAC’s emergency response by donating to our fundraiser. We aim to raise $200,000 to help displaced families meet their immediate needs and begin recovery.
For media enquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact Mica Bevington at mica.bevington@bracusa.org