Fire Destroys 13 Shelters at Marib Refugee Camp, Displacing Dozens

A significant fire erupted at the Al-Salam displacement camp east of Marib city, destroying over 13 shelters and leaving dozens of families without accommodation. The blaze caused extensive material losses and left residents exposed to the elements.

Eyewitnesses from the camp reported that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit. The flames spread rapidly through the tents and shelters, constructed from flammable fabric and wood, consuming a large number of dwellings within minutes before containment efforts could be effective.

While there were no human casualties, the fire completely destroyed the contents of the affected shelters. This included household furniture, bedding, scarce food supplies, and essential personal identification documents belonging to the displaced families.

Several affected individuals expressed deep dismay over the lack of immediate support from humanitarian organizations or international bodies. They described sleeping outdoors without adequate shelter or food, facing a dire and complex situation that requires urgent intervention.

The Al-Salam camp, like other temporary settlements in Marib, relies heavily on fabric tents that are highly susceptible to fire. This vulnerability, exacerbated by rising summer temperatures and a lack of basic fire safety measures and emergency infrastructure, intensifies the risk of catastrophic fires.

Affected residents have appealed to the local authorities in Marib Governorate and regional and international humanitarian organizations for swift intervention to provide immediate shelter and essential relief supplies. They also called for permanent solutions to prevent future tragedies by replacing fabric tents with more secure, fire-resistant, and weather-resilient housing.