BRAC takes special initiative to support Rohingya fire victims

BRAC has taken up an initiative for rehabilitation of Rohingya refugees, who have been affected in a fire incident at Rohingya camps in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar district.

Aided by the government, BRAC in coordination with development organisations has started food distribution, supply of pure drinking water, construction of shelter and other emergency works at No 8 and 9 Rohingya camps at Balukhali in Kutupalong, said a press release.

On behalf of BRAC, 34,000 litre of water was distributed, 49 deep tube-wells, 239 shallow tube-wells and 319 latrines were repaired for the affected people till March 28.

Shahana Hayat, head of operations of Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP) of BRAC, and officials concerned visited the affected camps on Monday.

Earlier, Hasina Akhter Huq, area director of HCMP of BRAC, and other high officials visited the fire-affected No. 9 camp on Saturday.

During her visit, Hasina Akhter Huq termed the fire incident at Rohingya camp as a big disaster.

Aided by the government, BRAC is carrying out its rehabilitation activities at Camp No 8 and 9 in coordination with other development organisations, she added.

''We are carrying out emergency works, including distribution of food and supply of pure drinking water. Besides, we are giving priority to the issue of protection of women and children,'' she said.

Besides, Roberts Sila Muthini, acting programme head of HCMP of BRAC, and others also visited the camps on March 24. 

United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) sources said about 126,381 people used to live at three Rohingya camps. Many of them fell to trouble following the fire, which took place at camp No 8W, 8E, 9, and 10 at Balukhali on March 22.