UN Steps Up Relief Effort for Rohingya Fire Survivors

GENEVA - A huge relief operation is under way to support tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees affected by a massive blaze last week in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 

An estimated 48,000 Rohingya lost their shelters in the fire that ripped through parts of Kutupalong-Balukhali, the world's largest refugee camp. The camp houses some 600,000 Rohingya refugees who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar in August 2017.  The U.N. refugee agency reports the Rohingya are being sheltered temporarily on site with family and friends while housing and other vital infrastructure, including hospitals, learning centers and aid distribution points, are being rehabilitated.  UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic says his agency and partners are distributing thousands of relief items to the refugees, and mobile medical teams are helping those in need of first aid.  He says more than 4,000 refugees affected by the fire are being treated for psychological distress.