The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an emergency response following a large fire that broke out early Tuesday morning in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar. The response is being implemented in close coordination with the Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian partners to ensure rapid and appropriate assistance to affected families, with a focus on safety, dignity, and immediate recovery.
According to IOM, fires in overcrowded camp settings have far-reaching consequences beyond physical damage. Families lose shelters, essential belongings, and access to basic services, which significantly increases protection risks. IOM emphasized that its response is guided by the responsibility to protect lives, restore basic stability, and help affected households regain a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible.
The fire affected more than 2,000 refugees and caused extensive damage to over 400 shelters. Critical camp infrastructure was also impacted, including more than 160 water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, as well as learning centres and places of worship. Although no fatalities or serious injuries were reported, the destruction significantly disrupted daily life and essential services within the camp.
In addition to structural damage, the fire destabilized the hillside terrain on which much of the camp is built. This led to damage to drainage systems and public infrastructure, increasing risks related to erosion, access constraints, and further environmental hazards, particularly during the dry season.
Following containment of the fire, IOM deployed health teams and ambulances to assist people with minor injuries and worked with partners to conduct rapid damage and needs assessments. Based on these assessments, specialized teams focusing on shelter, WASH, and protection were mobilized to support affected families. Within 24 hours, debris clearance was carried out with the support of refugee volunteers to restore safe access for emergency services.
Emergency food assistance was provided in coordination with the World Food Programme, while affected households received shelter materials, blankets, floor mats, mosquito nets, and portable solar lights. IOM continues to work with humanitarian partners to scale up assistance and respond to evolving needs as recovery efforts continue.
The incident highlights the ongoing fire risks in Cox’s Bazar, which hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees. Dense camp layouts and the widespread use of highly flammable materials in temporary shelters make fires a persistent threat, particularly during dry seasons. Building on lessons from previous major fires, humanitarian actors continue to strengthen refugee-led preparedness and response mechanisms to enable faster and safer action during emergencies.
