Endless Fear of Rohingya Refugees in the Recurring Cycle of Fires in Every Season

Words by Ahtaram Shin and Anowar Solim

A mother carries her child by looking at her burning shelter, photo © RB Hafizu

On December 24, 2024, a devastating fire broke out in Kutupalong, camp 1W, burning down over 539 shelters and destroying nearly 586 in total. The unexpected blaze erupted in the afternoon, shocking the entire refugee camp residents. This horrific tragedy has taken the lives of two refugees. 60 years old man and a seven years child, injured 19 others, and displaced thousands, making it one of the most catastrophic fires to hit the camp in 2024.

The fire completely burnt down five sub-blocks, comprising 539 shelters, to ashes and partially damaged 586 others during efforts to extinguish the flames. In an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading further, emergency teams demolished an additional 269 shelters. Among these, four homes belonging to the host community were also destroyed.

Community people gather in the fire ground. Photo @RB Hafizu

The damage extended beyond shelters. Essential infrastructure, including a mosque, learning centers, latrines, bathing spaces, tap stands, and fire hydrant water tanks that refugees rely on daily, was wiped out.

“We ran away to save our lives. It is so difficult to escape a fire in the camp because there are no proper pathways, and it’s so crowded. Now everything we had in our shelter is gone,” said Fatema, a mother of three who lost her home. “It feels like we can never escape suffering and hardship.”

In response, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and community health workers from BRAC have been cleaning the affected blocks and assisting victims. The injured have been hospitalized, and emergency aid such as food, water, and temporary tarpaulin shelters is being provided. However, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming, and the losses are immense.

An elderly victim, Halim, expressed,

“First, our homes were burned in Myanmar, and we became homeless. Now, even here, we are not safe. Our shelter has burned down again, leaving us without a roof over our heads. Why does this keep happening to us?”

Everything is gone, no shelter, clothes, and kitchen supplies. Photo ©Anowar Solim

Everything is gone, no shelter, clothes, and kitchen supplies , Photo © Anowar Solim

All lost except the ashes ahead of me, Photo by Anowar Solim

The Rohingya refugees, who already struggle with so little, have now lost what little they had. Burnt shelters urgently need rebuilding to provide affected families with safe housing.

For the Rohingya, who fled decades of oppression and violence in Myanmar, life in the refugee camps has been a continuous struggle. The fire has brought back haunting memories of past trauma, reminding them of the precariousness of their existence. Time and again, they are left without shelter, food, or basic necessities, forced to start over after each disaster.

Although I tried to put off the fire by carrying water with the bucket, everything is burnt down. Photo © RB Hafizu

The fear of fire is endless for the Rohingya people, who have faced similar tragedies multiple times since 2017, losing lives and property in these recurring incidents. Despite their resilience, adequate measures to combat such disasters remain insufficient.

This man is crying when he can save nothing although he hard worked to put off the fire by carrying water with his small bucket. Photo © RB Hafizu

Bangladeshi authorities, the international community, and humanitarian organizations must prioritize finding sustainable solutions to protect these vulnerable communities. Efforts must continue to ensure safety measures and long-term support for the Rohingya refugees, who endure unimaginable hardship and persistent displacement.