A tragedy that exposes inequalities
We are saddened to learn of the plight of the 50 families living in a slum near Amin Colony in Chattogram, which was burnt to ashes by a fire on Wednesday morning. According to our report, the fire started around 6am, and although no one died, it ravaged everything in their houses before it was doused about two hours later. Apparently, firefighters faced difficulties getting into the slum due to narrow access roads. Evacuation also became a challenge as the slum was surrounded by fences and sidewalls, with the only entry/exit points being near two warehouses, which also caught fire.
On the face of it, the horrors that the survivors faced are a reminder that tragedies, especially fire-related ones, don't discriminate based on one's socioeconomic status. While such incidents have come to be expected in congested cities like Chattogram and Dhaka – with the country in general witnessing a massive increase in fire incidents, from 12,182 in 2009 to 24,102 in 2022 – the same happening in slums bears a special significance. It adds a layer of injustice which deserves to be recognised.
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Slums, and such places, are a testament to the inequality that plagues our society. These communities, characterised by inadequate housing, limited access to basic services, and precarious living conditions – as exemplified by the narrow access roads and shared electric lines in the Chattogram slum – are left utterly vulnerable in the face of a fire, which serves as a double blow for them. The stories of the families of Mohammad Hasan, who endured the fire just before his wedding, or Sumi Akhter, who escaped with flames nipping at their heels, show how victims from underprivileged backgrounds suffer disproportionately.
It is, therefore, important to recognise the larger societal implications of such tragic events. We urge the authorities to help the Chattogram slum fire victims to rebuild their lives. We must prioritise the well-being of the poor and marginalised like them in our society, provide better and safer housing for them, and ensure that they are properly supported through our social safety net programmes.
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