UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Sheldon Yett on Monday said UNICEF’s next priority is to repair and rebuild the facilities so that children can continue their education and receive essential healthcare, nutrition and sanitation services.
“Our hearts are with the Rohingya children and their families who – after fleeing their country and taking refuge – have once more been left homeless," Yett said on the fire in the Rohingya camps.
Yett said their deepest sympathies go out to the 12,000 Rohingya refugees – half of them children – who lost their shelter homes in the fire that broke out at Balukhali camp in Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar district.
"We commend the brave work of front-line responders who have brought the fire under control."
While they are thankful that no casualties have been reported, Yett said 6,000 children are in urgent need of emergency support.
"UNICEF and our partners have worked through the night to protect and support traumatised children and their families," said the Representative.
Two mobile medical units have been deployed and are providing emergency medical aid to injured children and adults.
"At the same time, children are receiving psychosocial support with special attention to those who may have been separated from their families in the chaos," Yett said.
The full extent of the damage is being assessed, but according to initial reports the fire destroyed 2,000 shelters and a large number of facilities that provide critical services to refugee children and their families.
Among these are over 20 learning centres, at least one nutrition centre, and several sanitation facilities.
