Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 25 May, 2024 — A devastating fire broke out at Camp-13 around 10:50 AM (local time) yesterday, May 24, 2024. The fire, which originated from a warehouse, was successfully controlled by 12:30 PM. However, the blaze left significant destruction in its wake, burning more than a hundred shelters and seventy WASH facilities, and numerous other installations and community spaces. Eight individuals sustained injuries due to the incident.
In recent years, one of our greatest fears of living in the camp is fire incident.Mohammed Umair, a volunteer working with CARE’s Site Management Team.
CARE Bangladesh, the Site Management Service (SMS) agency, immediately deployed mobile firefighting units to assist the fire service teams in controlling the blaze. In the aftermath, CARE Bangladesh dispatched four assessment teams to conduct a detailed assessment of the damage. This report will be crucial in enabling all relevant actors to plan and respond effectively to the needs of the affected population.
In an attempt to fast recovery, CARE Bangladesh has mobilized Cash for Work (CfW)1 workers who have already cleared debris and restored roads to ensure accessibility for recovery efforts. CARE teams are also coordinating the distribution of hot meals, clothes, hygiene kits, and providing medical treatment to those who lost their shelters; efforts are also underway to ensure a continuous water supply.
Roberts Sila, Head of the CARE Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar Regional Office, emphasized the organization’s commitment to the response efforts, stating, “CARE Bangladesh mobilized maximum resources and personnel from program teams to ensure a swift and effective response. Our priority is to provide immediate relief and support to those impacted by this tragic incident, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.”
Our priority is to provide immediate relief and support to those impacted by this tragic incident, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.Roberts Sila, Head of the CARE Bangladesh Cox’s Bazar Regional Office.
"In recent years, one of our greatest fears of living in the camp is fire incident. The shelters in the camps are densely constructed with very flammable materials. I feel lucky to be a part of CARE Site Management team where I used several tools and received trainings to contain fire. Yesterday, when I was preparing for Friday prayer, suddenly I saw some smoke in the air. I immediately called our volunteers’ team leader, SMS officers and went to fight the fire. 100 Disaster Management Unit and 15 SMS Volunteers of CARE worked with 3 units of Fire Department and within an hour we were able to extinguish the fire.", shared Mohammed Umair working as a volunteer with CARE’s Site Management Team.
For further inquiries, please contact: Tony Michael Gomes, Director-Strategic Partnership, Communications & Advocacy, CARE Bangladesh at [email protected]