On a cold
winter evening, Yasin is at work some 18 km away from his home, in dire need to
earn enough money to survive the harsh winters of northern India. It is more challenging
than it used to be for Yasin and his family.
“Nothing is left behind! Except the compulsion to survive this cold with
nothing. It took away everything we had collected over the years. It’s all in
ashes now,” says the 18 year old, showing the spot where his home and shanty
stood for the last ten years.
Yasin, a Rohingya Muslim by ethnicity is one of 106 people rendered homeless by
a massive fire that broke out in the Rohingya refugee camp in the Ferozepur
Namak village in Nuh, Haryana.
The night of December 16 came as a nightmare to the residents. The massive fire
gutted over 32 shanties, leaving behind mounds of ash and helplessness.
Fire incidents in Rohingya refugee camps in India have been common for the past
few years. In 2021 alone, there were instances of fire mishaps at Rohingya
settlements in Kanchankunj in Delhi, in Jammu, and Nuh is the latest in the
queue.
“There is no permanent solution to this problem. As long as permanent
structures are not built for them, this will happen again!” says 24 year old
Arbab Ali, a Muslim rights activist who has been here since the incident took
place. The fire is alleged to have been caused by an electric short circuit.
A few NGOs along with locals have joined hands to help the residents of the
camp to get back on their feet.
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