Fire ravages Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, 2,000 homeless

The fire broke out in the Nayapara camp, southeast of Bangladesh, on January 14, 2021. AFP - -

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At least 500 makeshift shelters were completely destroyed in a fire that broke out early on January 14 in Cox's Bazar refugee camp in southern Bangladesh.

The fire, the origin of which is still unknown, claimed no casualties, but left 2,000 people homeless.

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Nayapara camp is home to tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees.

The camp is crowded, and people are living in cramped makeshift shelters made of sheet metal and bamboo.

For the NGO Save the Children, this disaster once again highlights the deplorable living conditions in the camp.

Children in particular live in unworthy conditions and their rights are violated every day.

There are forced marriages, children are exploited at work, victims of abuse.

The world must hear their call.

What these children want is a home and the opportunity to go to school since they do not have access to formal education.

As for the funding of humanitarian programs, funds are dwindling every day.

We only received 49% of the $ 877 million pledged by donors over the past year.

Without sufficient funds, we will not have the means to provide basic services to the Rohingyas, which is unacceptable, ”

denounces Mohammad Shahidul Haque Khan, the NGO's communications manager. 

Bangladesh has approximately 750,000 Rohingya.

This Muslim minority was forced in 2017 to flee violence following an intervention by the Burmese army against a rebel group in the state of Arakan in Burma.

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  • Bangladesh

  • Rohingya

  • Rights of the child

  • Humanitarian