Bangladesh: Fire in Rohingya refugee camps 8E, 8W and 9

This briefing note reports on a devastating fire that broke out in the Kutupalong Balukhali Extension (KBE) on 22 March 2021 at 3pm, starting in camp 8W and spreading through camps 8E, 9, touching camp 10 and damaging a reported 200 structures in the host community. The damage caused by the fire significantly sets back the humanitarian response and exacerbates the existing needs of the Rohingya, who already live in precarious conditions. While fires in the camps are common, this fire was described as unlike any other fire seen in the camps since 2017. As at 24 March, out of the 124,381 people living in the four camps, 45,000 are estimated to be displaced. Of the displaced, thousands of people are being re-hosted in other camps and preliminary assessments indicate that at least 10,000 shelters and 1,600 facilities have been destroyed or damaged. 

For further analysis, please read Fire incident: Initial joint rapid needs assessment report.