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Cox’s Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh is on fire. Former farm land worker, Cathrine T. Hårsaker, is deeply concerned for the more than 600,000 people who live together.
– I am very worried, says the Red Cross worker to VG.
A fire broke out in a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh on Monday. Photos from the site show large amounts of black smoke and people fleeing.
Cathrine Tranberg Hårsaker, currently working for the Red Cross, has worked for the UN for two years in the relevant refugee camp. There he worked, among other things, to ensure fire preparedness.
Hårsaker says the camp is 13 square kilometers in size and can accommodate more than 600,000 people. It can be compared to placing the entire population of Oslo in an area with the city of Bodø.
– Those who live in these tenants have almost nothing to start with. They report to aid organizations and authorities in Bangladesh. When they lose their homes and most of what they own, they become extremely vulnerable. This is a type of situation that has been warned about for a long time, says Hårsaker.
– People live very close
Hårsaker explains to VG that the parts that are now on fire are particularly densely built and can accommodate approximately 123,000 people.
– The fire has spread and affects five parts of clay so far. People live very close here and all the houses are made of bamboo, says the former UN employee.
She believes the fire was caused by an explosion in a gas cannula, which is commonly used for cooking. She points out that it’s 30 degrees in the air and it doesn’t rain, which can further increase the risk of explosion and fire.
There have been minor fires in the same field before, but nothing like this, according to Hårsaker.
– This is the biggest fire we have seen so far. Many have lost their homes, at least 30,000 people so far, Hårsaker says of the fire.
Big fire in a refugee camp in Bangladesh: – I am very worried Photo: UNHCR BANGLADESH BROCHURE / UNHCR BANGLADESH
No running water and only available on foot
Fire, military and police crews are said to have flocked after reports of the fire, NTB writes.
Hårsaker tells VG that it is true that there is a fire department in the surrounding town, but that they are not particularly large forces.
– Most of the camp is only accessible on foot and there is no running water. All the water is in wells and rivers, explains the Red Cross worker.
CONCERNED: Cathrine Tranberg Hårsaker has worked with fire preparedness in the part of the camp that is now on fire. She is very concerned about the situation of all those who are now losing their homes, both because of the risk of contagion, and because the rainy season is just around the corner. Photo: Private
The Red Cross is on the ground and contributes 500 volunteers. In addition, in recent years they have worked to train 3,400 people in refugee fire preparedness and response.
Evacuation has started from a large number of camps. Our volunteers are involved.
More than 1 million Rohingya Muslims live in flimsy homes in the huge camps of Cox’s Bazar, some 300 kilometers from the capital. Almost 750,000 of them crossed the border after the army in Myanmar attacked them in 2017.
