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Press release

Christian Aid responds to fire in Bangladesh Rohingya refugee camp 

 

In response to a massive fire at an overcrowded Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, Christian Aid is set to work with local partners to repair shelters and provide essentials. The international development has also warned world leaders “can no longer sit on their hands where Rohingya refugees are concerned.” 

Christian Aid, which has been working in Bangladesh since 1972, understands the fire that broke out at Cox's Bazar refugee camp on Sunday 5 March has left some 2,000 shelters burnt affecting around 12,000 refugees from Myanmar. 

Describing the situation on the ground, Christian Aid’s Country Director in Bangladesh Pankaj Kumar said: “The devastation of the blaze has left thousands homeless, without any of their worldly possessions and in immediate need. It's not just homes but mosques, health centres, wash blocks, and much more than has been engulfed.”  

Christian Aid is undertaking an immediate needs assessment by working with partners based in the camps. The development agency expects to repair individual shelters and health centers and provide essentials such as clothing, non-food items, toilets and cooking utensils. 

Pankaj Kumar added: “Even before these fires, the refugees living in these camps were facing a hunger crisis and required help. They need access to food, clean water to drink, shelter, clothing and cooking utensils.” 

“This fire should be a wakeup call to the international community too. World leaders can no longer sit on their hands where Rohingya refugees are concerned. They must now fully fund the humanitarian response that is needed.” 

Most refugees living in the area fled a campaign of persecution by Myanmar's military in 2017. Further health and security concerns have been raised due to the start of the hot season and high temperatures on the day of the fire.  

Recently, monthly food vouchers for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh were cut from $12 to $10 per person. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) previously warned further cuts were “imminent” without an immediate cash injection. 

Christian Aid’s work in the camps includes supporting women and girls in safe spaces, advocating for access to justice and security services and raising awareness to reduce gender-based violence.

ENDS. 

Notes to editors: 

To donate, go to: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/give/ways-to-donate

Christian Aid’s Country Director in Bangladesh, Pankaj Kumar, is available for broadcast. 

Christian Aid’s partners: 

Christian Aid’s collaborative partner Gana Unnayan Kendra-GUK has active operational presence since 2017 at the beginning of the influx here in the affected region. GUK has been working in the affected camps 11, 10, 9, and others in Ukhiya and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This National partner organization has long experience since 1985 on the operation of emergency response, livelihoods, WaSH, distribution, health etc.   

Christian Aid’s collaborative partner Dushtha Shasthya Kendra has had an active operational presence since 2017 at the beginning of the influx here in the affected region. DSK has been working in the camps of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This National partner organization has long experience since 1989 in the operation of emergency response, livelihoods, WaSH, distribution, health, including microfinance etc.   

Christian Aid programmes in the camps:

 

1) Women and Girls Safe Spaces – Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) provide a comprehensive package of support for women and adolescent girls in specific locations in the camps where they are most vulnerable. The Safe Spaces ensure that women and girls are empowered, linked to lifesaving services, and have access to information, education, recreational activities, and support services. The spaces help women and girls recover from violence, form networks and get the support, safety and opportunities they need. Christian Aid’s Safe Spaces provide individual gender-based violence case management; psychosocial support; referrals for health, legal and safe shelter support; recreational activities; life skills training, information and awareness-raising (GBV, risk reduction, hygiene promotion, etc.), prevention and outreach activities. 
 
2) Advocacy work – Christian Aid is continually advocating for survivors’ access to justice and security services, without compromising the safety and dignity of survivors. We identify and refer vulnerable people to respective service centres and support them with non-food items such as dignity kits and hygiene kits. 
 
3) Awareness-raising – Christian Aid is raising awareness of gender-based violence and its impact on households, communities and societies at large as well as building women’s and girls’ capacity to identify and address gender-based violence and other forms of exploitation through community-based groups and sensitisation workshops. Since it is essential to involve both men and women to overcome and respond to gender-based violence, we are also engaging community leaders and members, both male and female, on the reduction of gender-based violence risks.