A devastating fire at Cox’s Bazar has destroyed hundreds of shelters, leaving over 2,000 Rohingya refugees homeless. The fire swept through Camp 16 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in the early hours of Monday, January 20, 2026. The blaze, which started around 3:00 AM, rapidly gutted 335 homes and damaged hundreds more.
Inferno Exposes Destroys Critical Facilities In Cox’s Bazar
According to the Norwegian Refugee Council via a post, the inferno forced all affected families to flee. It also forced them to seek shelter with relatives or friends within the overcrowded camp.
Highly flammable bamboo and polythene materials, coupled with densely packed structures, fuelled the fire. It tore through Blocks D2, D3, and D4.
The flames also severely damaged critical infrastructure, destroying 86 latrines and 68 bathing cubicles. Per the statement, 11 water points, 40 solar streetlights, 10 learning centres, and 2 mosques were also destroyed.
Dipankar Datta, Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Bangladesh, in a statement described the situation as dire for residents.
“This fire highlights the extreme vulnerability of Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded, makeshift homes that burn rapidly.”
“A single spark can devastate entire sections of the camp, further exhausting already vulnerable families,” he said.
He also stressed that years of living in fragile shelters deny refugees safety and dignity. He added that rapid funding is required to provide immediate aid to affected residents amid the looming risks of extended homelessness
Fire Leaves Rohingya Refugees in a Precarious State
Refugee Nur Mohammad, who lost everything, recounted his loss.
“The fire destroyed my entire shelter. It burned our bed, cooking utensils, and clothes to ashes. I do not know how or where my family will spend tonight,” he said.
Findings by Charity Journal reveal that similar fires over the years have displaced more than 100,000 refugees and destroyed 20,000 homes.
Despite the Interim Government of Bangladesh approving three new semi-permanent shelter models in December 2024 for 50,000 safer structures, major humanitarian funding cuts in January 2025 halted the reconstruction plan.
Additionally, the 2025 Rohingya response faced a crippling funding gap of US $466.6 million, receiving only half of its required funds. Aid groups warn that without adequate resources, they cannot build safer shelters, leaving families trapped in structures vulnerable to fire, storms, and monsoons.
In another related development, the American Red Cross is saving lives through the installation of free smoke alarms in local communities. Their impact became starkly clear after a recent fire in Ford, Washington, which displaced a family and resulted in a casualty.
Meanwhile, in Syria, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) will support displaced people as the ongoing conflict continues. Recent clashes forced thousands to flee their homes in search of safety.
