Massive fire at Kutupalong Balukhali refugee camp displaces almost 50,000 Rohingya Refugees

At least 9,500 shelters are estimated to have been destroyed or damaged. Refugees who have been displaced are being temporarily accommodated within the community. UNHCR is rushing to provide critical support and protection to some 48,000 Rohingya refugees who lost their shelters and belonging in the devastating blaze. Additionally, more than 1,600 facilities including hospitals, learning centres, distributions points and registration centres have also been destroyed.

At the peak of the crisis in 2017, thousands were crossing into Bangladesh daily. Most walked for days through jungles and mountains, or braved dangerous sea voyages across the Bay of Bengal. They arrived exhausted, hungry and sick – in need of international protection and humanitarian assistance. Now their suffering is further exacerbated by this recent event. UNHCR is on the ground in Bangladesh providing lifesaving aid to Rohingya refugees, but resources are stretched thin.