Devastating fire displaces thousands in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

DHAKA, 22 March 2021 – “UNICEF expresses its deepest sympathy to the Rohingya refugees affected by the fire in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The fire has already caused enormous devastation, spreading rapidly through refugee camps and displacing thousands of people. While large-scale evacuations have taken place, the full extent of the disaster is yet to be confirmed.

UNICEF and our partners are on the ground addressing the immediate and urgent needs of children and families. UNICEF has mobilized health teams for first aid support as well as volunteers to evacuate refugees from their shelters.

While the situation continues to evolve into the late night, initial reports are that children are among the injured, and that there are also children who have been separated from their families. UNICEF child protection personnel and their partner organizations are working to assist children in need including separated children. Our partners are also delivering emergency supplies and clean drinking water.

UNICEF thanks the local authorities and front-line responders who have been working tirelessly to bring the fire under control while Rohingya refugees and humanitarian workers are brought to safety.

Our priority is to secure the immediate safety, security and protection of children in coordination with the concerned authorities, first responders and partner organizations in the UN and NGO community.”

###

Note to editor

The Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar is one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, hosting over 877,000 refugees, over half of whom are children. Over 725,000 Rohingya refugees fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in August 2017 following a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

For interviews, please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]