Two brothers died after they played near a dam in Kutupalong unregistered refugee camp. Faroque, 5, and Jashim, 4, died on July 1 at around 1:30 am after drowning in a pool of water created by a new dam, according to their father Rahamad Ullah.
Flooding also destroyed at least 2 homes near the camp’s D2 block. Other homes were reported to have suffered damage but information about the extent of this damage was not available at the time of press. The dam that was built by a Bangladesh national for fish cultivation blocked a pre-existing water route that was allowing water to drain from the camp during the rainy season. It was built without permission from local authorities, or consultation with camp residents, according to Amin, a refugee camp committee member.
“The local did not fence in the dam to keep out children from playing near the dam site. It was also built too close the camp which posed a danger for kids that could drown in the water.”
Outside of the camp no-one seemed to care about the death of the 2 boys. No action has been taken by local authorities against the person who built the dam. The UNHCR, MSF and ACF have all been silent. The families whose homes were washed away from flood waters caused by the dam haven’t received support for their losses.
“More than 2 shacks have already been destroyed by the dam water on July 3. More will be affected if the dam is not dismantled,” Amin said.
