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Nearly 7,000 Rohingya refugees homeless as fire blazes through camp in Cox’s Bazar
International desk
07 Jan 2024, 16:59
Cox’s Bazar, 7 January2024 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its humanitarian partners are scrambling to respond to the latest devastating fire that ravaged through Camp 5, one of the 33 camps in Cox’s Bazar that make the largest refugee camp in the world.
Nearly 800 shelters are feared to have been destroyed in the first large fire of 2024, which started around 01:00 in the morning on 7 Januaryand was brought under control by 4 am.
Additionally, some 93 shelters were partially damaged, andaround 120facilities, including learning centres, mosques, healthcare centres, latrines and bathing facilities, water points and solar street lights, havealso been destroyed or damaged by the inferno.
So far, there have been no casualties reported yet as a result of the fire.
Refugee volunteers were first to respond to the blaze, with community volunteers trained on firefightingsupported by Bangladeshi authorities, UNHCR, IOM, and local firefightersfrom the host community in nearby Ukhiya.
Specialized three-wheeled Mobile Firefighting Units andwater pumps which had been earlier provided by UNHCR were quickly deployed from other camps. Water was also drawn from the water network of WASH partnersas well as nearby streams and ponds to extinguish the fire. Fire corridors,created by removing shelters in the immediate vicinity of the fire during the blaze, ensured the flames did not spread further within the camp.
Refugees displaced by the fire are temporarily taking shelter within the camp’s community centres, including in temporary communal shelters, and are providedwith emergency food assistance including fortified biscuits and hotmeals.
Bangladeshi authorities and humanitarian agencies are on site to assist the people affected in the fire with emergency support, medical and psychologicalfirst aid, and linkingrefugees with other relevant services as required.
In the aftermath of the fire, the Bangladeshi authorities and UNHCR, in coordination with IOM and other UN and NGO partners, as well as refugee volunteers are supporting the Rohingya refugees who lost their shelters and belongings in the devastating blaze during cold weather of the winter season, and assess further needs.
The cause of the fire currently remains unknown, and we are assured by the Government authorities that an investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.
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Former MP Dabirul Islam Arrested
Dabirul Islam, a seven-time former Member of Parliament of the Thakurgaon-2 constituency, has been arrested.
He was arrested from the house of Awami League leader Alamgir Hossain at Ruhia Thana of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila on Wednesday (October 2) around 2:30 am.
Confirming the matter, Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam told the media that he was arrested from the house of an Awami League leader in Ramnath Bazar of Ruhia police station. He was arrested in a case of Baliadangi Police Station. He is the main accused in that case.
Incidentally, there are two cases of extortion, land grabbing, and murder against former MP Dabirul Islam. He is the main accused in these two cases.
4 killed, 10 injured in Tangail Road Crash
Four people were killed and at least ten others were injured in a head-on collision between a bus and a truck in Kalihati, Tangail, in the early hours of Friday.
The accident occurred on the Mymensingh Link Road on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge road.
The victims were not immediately identified. The injured were rescued and admitted to Tangail General Hospital. Three were reported to be in critical condition.
Nannu Khan, in charge of the Elenga highway police outpost, said the collision took place at around 12:30 am, leaving four bus passengers dead on the spot. 10 were injured. The injured were rushed to Tangail General Hospital. The identity of the deceased is yet unknown."
Meanwhile, the incident caused a traffic jam about 10 kilometers from Elenga to Salla on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna bridge highway.
163 Villages Inundated in Sherpur, Mymensingh
Heavy rains and landslides caused flash floods in several parts of Sherpur and Mymensingh. At least 113 villages in Sherpur's Nalitabari, Sreebardi, and Jhenaigati upazilas and 50 villages in Mymensingh's Dhobaura were inundated. Bhogai and Chellakhali dams are breaking and water is overflowing.
The water level of both rivers started rising last Thursday evening. Garakanda and Nichpara areas of the municipality including Poragaon, Nayabil, Ramchandrakura, and Baghber Union were flooded during the night. Upazila Parishad Square, Sadar Bazar, and lower areas of 40 villages have been inundated in Jhenaigati.
On Friday, around 5,000 people were stranded due to an abnormal rise in the water in the Maharshi and Someswari rivers. About 2,000 people in 13 Rani Shimul and Singabaruna Union villages bordering Sreebardi Upazila of Sherpur have become waterlogged due to heavy rains and landslides. Many roads were submerged in torrential water and traffic was stopped. Aman paddy's fields are submerged.
Meanwhile, at least 50 villages of the upazila have been flooded due to heavy rains and landslides in Dhobaura of Mymensingh, breaking the Netai River dam.
Akhlaq Ul Jamil, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board, said that due to heavy rains, the Netai River dam was damaged and several areas were flooded. If the rain subsides, the area's water level will likely recede in the next two days. Later the damaged dam will be rebuilt.
Dhobaura Upazila Executive Officer Nishat Sharmin said that the people's representatives of the areas where water has entered have been asked to arrange shelter in primary schools. Actions will be taken to help the victims after the inquiry.
Traffic Congestion in Dhaka / Wasting Around 82,00,000 Working Hours Daily
The traffic congestion in the capital city is wasting around 8.2 million working hours daily. Massive use of private vehicles is responsible for the lack of order on the roads and thus, people cannot enjoy the advantage of rising public transport.
Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury revealed this at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Sunday (October 6) at 11 o'clock.
In his written speech, he said, "The citizens of the capital are stuck in a terrible traffic jam because of the lack of respect for the rules and regulations of the passengers. It takes more than 4 to 5 hours to go from one end of the city to another. 8.2 million working hours of working people are wasted every day in Dhaka's traffic jams. BUET's information says that the financial loss in this traffic jam is Tk50,000cr every year.
He said, "The capital's public transport system has been broken for ages. Buses and mini-buses operating in the city are discolored with no rear light indicators and front-looking glasses. Can't sit on the seat with two legs apart. The footrests and catch handles are broken, have to stand for long periods. During the hot summer days, the bus is drenched in sweat, and in the rainy season, the bus is still drenched in rain. There is no cleanliness in any buses. Buses are not available at the right time even after enduring the agony of getting on and off the dirty, infested, cockroach-infested buses."
Mozammel further said, 'In such a reality, the able-bodied are buying private cars by taking loans. Others have turned to motorcycle ride-sharing, auto-rickshaws, easy bikes, e-bikes, and smaller vehicles like ride-hailing. As a result, 4,00,000 pedal-powered rickshaws, 6,00,000 battery-powered rickshaws and easybikes, 1,34,000 small ride-sharing vehicles, 30,000 CNG-powered auto-rickshaws are moving freely in the city, along with chaotic buses, the traffic congestion and crowding of the city are increasing extremely. On the other hand, the traffic system to control these vehicles is still outdated. After the change of government, 4,000 traffic police in the city are still inactive. In this situation, modern engineering traffic control system needs to be introduced on an urgent basis to reduce traffic congestion."
"According to BRTA's information, an average of 800 small vehicles are coming down in the capital every day. According to a JICA survey, 60 percent of the daily average 40 million trip passengers travel in Dhaka metropolis use public transport. 67 percent of these passengers use buses only. However, the quality of passenger service of Dhaka City Bus has been lacking quality for the last 20 years. To reduce the traffic congestion in Dhaka, the bus-minibus system must be fixed first. The registration of small vehicles and the movement of these vehicles on the main roads of the city should be stopped," he further added.
Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity has demanded to improve city services in Dhaka city by providing a bus route rationalization system with privileged lanes, removing small vehicles including rickshaws, and easy bikes from the main roads of the city, and scientifically controlling the traffic system.
Flood Situation Improves in Sherpur, Death Toll Rises to 8
The river water in Sherpur has started decreasing gradually. As a result, the overall flood situation of the district has improved somewhat.
However, thousands of people are still stuck in the water. A total of 8 people have died in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Nokla upazilas in the last 4 days.
Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torofdar Mahmudur Rahman confirmed the matter on Monday (October 7).
Various areas can be seen on the surface, and the people of waterlogged areas are suffering. Relief aid has not yet reached many places. However, the district administration says that assistance has already reached the affected areas. Torofdar said that relief distribution will continue.
The Agriculture Department and the Fisheries Department say that 47,000 hectares of arable land in the district have been submerged under the flood water. Apart from this, 1,000 hectares of vegetables have been damaged. More than 6,000 fish cages have sunk. Aman farmers and fishermen have been affected by this. At least 1,75,000 farmers in the district have lost everything.
Earlier, Sanowar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Nalitabari police station confirmed the death of 6 people. He said, "Khalilur Rahman (65) of Nalitabari, Sherpur, Idris Ali (66) of Andharupara, two brothers Alam (17) and Hatem (30) of Kutubakura village in Nischintapur, Omeja Bewa of Baghbed Balurchar drowned in the sudden flood, he said. Apart from this, one was rescued from Sandhyakura in Jhenaigati. But his identity was not found."
Apart from this, two deaths were reported in Nakla Upazila. Confirming the matter, Nokla Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Habibur Rahman said that a person named Moktar Ali (50) died after being electrocuted by an electric wire in the flood water in Kurerkanda of Urfa Union of the upazila. On the other hand, Gazaria of Ganapaddi of the same upazila was drowned in flood water. Another person named Razzak died.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Torofdar said, "One died in Nokla on Saturday night. Additionally, five people died in Nalitabari and one in Jhenaigati upazila due to the flood. The water of almost all the rivers in the district is below the danger limit. The water has started to recede. This has slightly improved the overall flood situation of the district."
No Security Threat During 'Durga Puja', Still We Are Cautious: IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam said that there is no security concern in the upcoming 'Durga Puja'.
He said this to reporters after visiting Dhakeshwari Temple in the capital on Monday (October 7) afternoon.
The IGP said that there is no fear of any terrorist attack during the puja. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert. There is no room for any kind of chaos and inactivity.
He also said that Ansar has been deployed in important Puja Mondops. They will be deployed in all puja Mondops from Tuesday. Other police patrols and striking forces will be deployed. Armed forces are deployed in all districts.
Moinul Islam said, there is no opportunity for inactivity anywhere. Cyber monitoring has been strengthened. 999 is always on. A special control room will monitor the security of the puja from across the country.
He said that control rooms have been launched in each upazila, district, and police headquarters. Action will be taken immediately if anyone wants to create disturbance anywhere, in any Pujamondop.
RAJUK Lacks Transparency, Accountability Since Its Inception: Rizwana
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the adviser on environment, forest, and climate, said that urbanization is not acceptable by destroying the environment. Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has lacked transparency and accountability since its inception.
She stated this during a discussion on 'World Boshoti Day' at RAJUK Bhaban on Monday (October 7) morning.
Rizwana said, "When Mr. Ershad renamed RAJUK from DIT, only development took place in the capital. However, I have not seen accountability, transparency there."
She said, "Rajuk has a board, there is a need for involvement. I cannot reach my solution if I think I have included RAJUK with some bureaucrats."
Rizwana said, "We have to go through many ups and downs in new Bangladesh. We have to go through various challenges and obstacles."
She further said, "Healthy and beautiful cities should be built with the advice of young people and urban experts. Boshoti means not only a house but also a habitable place."
In the discussion, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan said that the reform of city organizations including RAJUK is necessary. There is no housing system for the poor in Dhaka. The main challenge of the government is to build it.
