Overview

• A fire in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh has left nearly 7,000 people homeless and destroyed about 1,040 shelters, along with several other facilities like learning centres, mosques, and healthcare centres.
• The fire broke out around midnight and was brought under control after about three hours. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but there is suspicion of arson.
• Bangladesh is home to nearly a million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. Fires and violence are common in the camps.
• Conditions in Myanmar have worsened since a military takeover in 2021, and attempts to repatriate the refugees have failed. Bangladesh's Prime Minister has stated that the refugees will not be sent back by force.
• The United Nations and other agencies are providing support to those affected by the fire, including food and temporary shelters.