IMANA NEWS

Thousands displaced, facilities gutted following Rohingya Camp Fire

Saleem Murillo

March 22nd, 2021

UPDATE: As of 12pm EST, it has been reported that some of IMANA’s mobile clinic locations have been irreparably damaged and need relocation. Staff members are reporting that entire homes have been destroyed as well.

BREAKING: A massive fire has swept through the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, southern Bangladesh currently sheltering over a million Rohingya people and vital facilities, including IMANA’s mobile clinics.

As of this morning, the United Nations’ refugee agency (UNHCR) has reported that firefighters and response teams are at the scene desperately and have been able to bring the flames under control. Over 700 tents have been reported to have already been gutted as a result, with no current update on the state of our health care facilities.

Donate Now!

“All partners are providing support together with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC) and emergency services,” said Louise Donovan, spokesperson of UNHCR. “So far, the fire has affected shelters, health centres, distribution points and other facilities. Volunteers are supporting those affected.”

Though no fatalities have been announced as of yet, personnel on the ground are currently in the process of relocating hundreds of families and searching for many who are reportedly missing.

Since 2017, over 350,000 Rohingya refugees have been treated as a result of our ServeRohingya medical missions, including on-going free treatment and medicinal aid in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With this new crisis at hand, your help is urgently needed.

Please donate today to ensure that no family in the Balukhali camp disaster goes without medical assistance.

Donate Now!

Back

Submit a Comment Cancel reply