Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 4 June 2025 – Days of intense monsoon rains and high winds have triggered landslides, floods, and widespread damage across the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, impacting nearly 16,000 people across 17 IOM-managed camps, injuring at least 14 and leaving many families in urgent need of assistance.
Over 1,900 shelters have been reported damaged, many of them beyond repair, while critical access routes have been blocked and drainage systems overwhelmed. Although the rains have eased off somewhat, intermittent downpours continue to complicate recovery efforts and risk further destruction.
“The scale of devastation caused by these early monsoon rains is alarming, especially in such a precarious setting where people are already extremely vulnerable,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Our teams are working tirelessly alongside community volunteers and partners to ensure that families are safe, with adequate shelter and other vital support. We need to act now to make sure the situation doesn’t go from bad to worse.”
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with Bangladesh authorities and partners under the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), has launched an emergency response. Over 1,400 community disaster management volunteers and 300 additional community responders have been deployed across the camps to support emergency relocations, rescue operations, and initial damage assessments.
Nearly 5,000 Rohingya refugees have been mobilized through cash-for-work activities to help clear fallen trees, unblock drainage channels, and restore access to essential facilities. Teams are also working to prevent further landslides by covering vulnerable slopes with tarpaulin. In total, over 13,500 square meters of slopes have been secured, dozens of fallen trees have been removed, and nearly 10,000 meters of drainage have been cleaned to reduce the risk of flooding.
Emergency shelter distributions are underway for affected families, including technical assistance for the repair and reconstruction of damaged homes, especially for those identified as extremely vulnerable. Shelter, water and sanitation facilities are also being assessed and repaired, while hot meals are being provided to displaced families sheltering in communal spaces.
IOM continues to coordinate closely with authorities and humanitarian actors to protect lives and restore safe access to services. As the monsoon season advances, slope stabilization, drainage clearance, and promoting awareness of disaster risk reduction will be key to achieving these aims.
For more information, please contact IOM Media Centre.
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