In the early hours today, the Nayapara Rohingya Refugee Camp was once again devastated by a fire that tore through Block-C, located near the camp’s main checkpoint. This tragic incident has displaced numerous families, forcing them to confront yet another bout of instability as they struggle to secure basic shelter.
Repeated fires, like today’s, continue to expose the severe vulnerabilities in shelter structures at Rohingya camps such as Nayapara and Kutupalong. Built from highly flammable materials and packed tightly together, these shelters are defenseless against the rapid spread of flames, especially when combined with strong winds. For many Rohingya, the fires serve as a constant reminder of the fear they live with daily, a chilling echo of the violence they escaped in Myanmar.
One resident expressed the persistent anxiety felt across the camp: “Fire is a constant fear for us. Our children are scared, and we don’t feel safe here.”
Since 2017, the influx of Rohingya refugees has created overcrowded living conditions in Cox’s Bazar, leaving residents to face recurring fires that destroy property and disturb fragile lives. A massive blaze in March 2021, one of the worst incidents to date, reduced approximately 10,000 shelters in Kutupalong to ashes and displaced nearly 45,000 people. Smaller fires, however, remain a frequent occurrence, disrupting lives and forcing families to rebuild time and again.
The flammable materials used in shelter construction, coupled with narrow camp pathways, make controlling fires nearly impossible. Aid agencies have called for fire-resistant building materials, wider firebreaks, and community fire safety training to reduce the risk. However, limited resources have slowed down the implementation of these safety measures, leaving residents vulnerable to repeated fires.
In the aftermath of yet another devastating blaze, there are growing demands for local authorities and aid organizations to invest in safer building practices and provide comprehensive fire-prevention support. The camp residents continue to ask: How many more fires will it take before safety becomes a reality for the Rohingya?
