$10 million Australian aid for Rohingyas affected by fire at Cox’s Bazar camp

Australia has announced $10 million in emergency assistance from the existing humanitarian budget to those affected by the fire in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

This funding is in addition to the over $260 million Australia has provided to the humanitarian response for Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh since 2017.

Fifteen people have died and 400 are missing after a huge fire destroyed the shanties of tens of thousands of Rohingyas in the world's biggest refugee settlement in Bangladesh, the UN says.

"Our additional support will be provided through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Population Fund," said Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women Marise Payne.

In a statement today, she said Australia is committed to sustaining our humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya and host communities in Cox's Bazar.

Marise Payne expressed deep sadness at the devastating fire in Kutupalong Balukali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar and offered sincere condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.

The impact on over 1,20,000 people and the extensive damage to food distribution centres, health clinics, learning centres and essential facilities is of great concern to Australia and the international community, the statement said.

She also commended the response of Bangladesh government and Rohingya volunteers who assisted with bringing the fire under control and the initial rescue operation, and the humanitarian agencies delivering food assistance, emergency shelter, and water and sanitation services for those affected.