Two separate fires broke out within one night at Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, destroying a hospital and several homes. The first incident occurred early Friday, December 26, at the D-block of Madhurchhara Camp No. 4, where a hospital was completely burned down along with valuable medical equipment. Firefighters and local residents brought the blaze under control after about two and a half hours. Earlier, around 10 p.m. on Thursday, December 25, another fire erupted about four kilometers away in the B-block of Kutupalong registered camp, burning five houses. No casualties were reported in either incident.
The destroyed hospital, known as ‘Obat Health Post,’ was established in 2017 by the charity Obat Helpers USA to serve newly displaced Rohingya refugees. It was being operated with support from Human International USA and the Bangladesh camp administration. Local residents and health officials expressed deep concern over the loss, noting that the facility provided free medical care to both Rohingya and nearby communities.
Authorities said the cause of the fires remains under investigation. Security forces remain on alert, and officials have pledged to rehabilitate the damaged health center and assist affected residents.