DIGIVESTASI - Another fire broke out in a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh on Sunday morning (July 1) local time, leaving thousands homeless. There were reportedly no fatalities in the incident at Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar. 

Bangladesh Refugee Commissioner in Cox's Bazar, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, said at least 4,000 refugees were displaced, while the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) put the figure at around 7,000. 

"We have made such arrangements ... refugees have been provided with food and temporary shelter," said Mohammad Shamsud Douza, the Bangladeshi government representative in charge of refugees.

Fire destroys hundreds of refugee facilities 
Local fire chief Shafiqul Islam told the Associated Press that "the fire was huge and destroyed about 1,040 houses in the camp." 

In addition to housing, at least 120 other facilities, including mosques, health centers, and education centers in the refugee camp, were severely damaged by the fire. 

"It took us about two hours to control the fire, with the participation of 10 firefighting units from Ukhiya and other stations in the district," Islam added.

Authorities suspect arson 
The fire also coincided with the general election in Bangladesh on Sunday (July 1). 
A day before polls opened, police reported several cases of suspected arson at polling stations as well as a fire on a passenger train that killed at least four people. 
"We have ordered an investigation into the fire [at the refugee camp]," Rahman said, adding that "we suspect it was arson."

Meanwhile, UNHCR said "the cause of the fire is currently unknown and government agencies have assured us that an investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted soon". 

Fires are common in crowded areas of Cox's Bazar refugee camps. Nearly one million Rohingya refugees live in densely populated camps made of highly flammable bamboo and plastic. 
In 2021, fires killed around 15 refugees. In fact, the 2023 fire left around 12,000 refugees homeless. The investigation committee called the incident a "planned act of sabotage."

Rohingya refugees: "suffering" continues 
The Rohingya Muslim minority faces discrimination in Myanmar, a Buddhist-majority country where the Rohingya have no citizenship or constitutional rights. In fact, acts of oppression against them have been repeatedly described as genocide.

A 65-year-old woman, one of the survivors of the fire, said: "We are suffering from the cold and facing a very difficult situation. 
"Right now we are sitting by the river with our children after escaping from a life-threatening situation. Our house was destroyed by the fire," he added to AP. Violence among the Rohingya has also begun to escalate in recent months. According to local police reports, more than 60 refugees were killed last year in civil war and drug-related conflicts.