Heavy Rains Damage Over 1,400 Rohingya Homes in Bangladesh

Heavy Rains Damage Over 1,400 Rohingya Homes in Bangladesh
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Heavy monsoon rains have damaged more than 1,400 homes in Rohingya refugee camps along Bangladesh’s southeastern coast, Anadolu Agency reported. Over two days, 53 landslides were reported across 33 camps, causing one death when a wall collapsed and injuring 11 people due to lightning strikes, according to the UNHCR.

More than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees reside in Cox’s Bazar, many having fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State since 2017. The combination of steep slopes, floods, and makeshift bamboo and tarpaulin shelters creates dangerous conditions, with strong winds further threatening shelter stability.

The influx of newly arrived refugees has worsened overcrowding, while a critical funding shortfall hampers disaster preparedness and response efforts. The UN’s Joint Response Plan requested $934.5 million this year but received only 20% of the funds needed.

UN officials emphasize that early disaster preparedness is vital to saving lives, but the funding gap has delayed essential measures ahead of the monsoon season.