Balukhali camp fire: 12,000 Rohingyas living under open sky as 2,000 shelters gutted
A 7-member probe committee formed in this connection
Sunday's massive fire that ripped through Balukhali Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar Ukhiya upazila has left around 12,000 people homeless.
As many as 2,000 houses were razed in the devastating fire that was doused after three hours of frantic effort by the members of fire service and locals.
At present, many Rohingya families are living under open sky.
Cox's Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said: “At least 2,000 fires completely destroyed in the camp fire. 12,000 Rohingyas now homeless.”
He said the rehabilitation work started from Monday morning.
“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide temporary housing for the displaced Rohingya while The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing emergency food aid to the victims,” he added.
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Mizanur Rahman said that the actual damage in the fire is being ascertained. Later, the affected Rohingyas will be given shelters. However, there is no incident of missing or casualty in the fire.
IOM Communication Officer Tarek Mahmud said five medical teams are providing medical services to the Rohingyas. He said that work is going on to determine the actual damage in the fire.
Probe body formed
Meanwhile, an investigation committee of seven members has been formed.
Headed by Additional District Magistrate Md Abu Sufian, the committee will have representatives from Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), local police, district police, and fire service and civil defense.
Apart from investigating the actual cause of the fire, this committee will look into whether there is any sabotage. The committee will investigate and submit the report within three working days.
A massive fire broke out at a Rohingya camp in Cox's Bazar's Ukhiya upazila again.
The incident occurred at the Balukhali refugee camp no 11 at 2:40pm, Ukhiya fire service and civil denfece In-Charge Emdadul Haq said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that over 90 facilities including hospitals and learning centres were damaged in the fire.