On March 22, 2021, a fire in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, began late in the afternoon and burned a major portion of the camp. The fire killed over a dozen people and left nearly a thousand wounded or missing. Around 45,000 Rohingya refugees were affected. The fire was initiated from the camp 8W and later spread over to 2 nearby camps- 8E, and 9 rapidly. It was believed to have begun when cooking gas cylinders ignited. 100 firefighters took it under control eight hours.

Educo Bangladesh responded immediately to the needs of affected people. Biscuit and juice packets were distributed to 1,800 affected Rohingya people in camp 8E in the emergency. Educo also provided psychosocial support and psychological first aid to 910 affected children, adolescents, and adults to overcome the trauma. Co-coordinating with the Child Protection team Educo was successfully able to Identify and reunify 57 children with their families who were separated during the fire incident. Educo also conducted a rapid need assessment in the fire affected camps.

Educo Bangladesh’s post fire action plan is as follows:

  • Identification and reunification of separated, missing or unaccompanied children and spreading safety and child protection messages to the affected community;
  • Provide MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) and referral support to affected children and adolescent;
  • Orientation on DRR (including response and evacuation) for the adolescent, learners and CBCPC members to 200 people (100 adolescent group members, 100 CBCPC members);
  • Renovation of learner centers for resuming learning opportunity;
  • Ensure the continuity of care-giver-led home-based-learning for children affected by the fire and prepare for the reopening schools;
  • Distribution of clothes and footwear items to the 2,000 children and adolescents;
  • Provision of supportive devices and play materials for children with disabilities at the fire affected areas;
  • Provide sports and recreational material for children and adolescents;
  • Provide education supplies to the fire affected 2,000 learners (6-12 years);
  • Distribution of dried food items to the fire affected 2,000 HHs;
  • Distribution of Non-food items (hygiene kits, crockeries, home appliance) to the fire affected 2,000 HHs.
  • COVID-19 Hygiene kits distribution.

More to follow…..

WORK:

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