Major fire sweeps through Rohingya refugee shelters, leaving thousands homeless

Major fire sweeps through Rohingya refugee shelters, leaving thousands homeless
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A major fire swept through Rohingya refugee shelters in Camp 16 of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, early on January 20, 2026, destroying hundreds of homes and leaving more than 2,000 people without shelter, humanitarian agencies said.

The blaze broke out around 3:00 a.m. and spread rapidly across Blocks D2, D3 and D4. Aid workers reported that at least 335 shelters were completely destroyed and 72 others were partially damaged. Families lost most of their belongings, including food supplies, clothing and household items, and many were forced to seek temporary refuge with relatives in already overcrowded sections of the camp.

The Norwegian Refugee Council said the fire highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of refugees living in densely packed shelters constructed from bamboo and polythene, which are highly flammable and were intended only as temporary housing. Years of delayed reconstruction have left families exposed to repeated risks.

The fire also damaged critical infrastructure, including latrines, bathing facilities, water points, solar lights, learning centres and places of worship, disrupting essential services.

Humanitarian agencies noted that fires are frequent in the camps, with thousands recorded over recent years. Emergency assistance is under way, but aid groups warn that without renewed funding for safer, semi-permanent shelters, similar incidents are likely to continue.