Thousands of refugees from Bhutan in eastern Nepal are homeless after a devastating fire swept through Goldhap refugee camp Saturday night, burning 80 percent of the camp to the ground and injuring seven refugees.

Altogether 1284 out of 1512 huts of Goldhap Bhutanese Refugee Camp have been totally burnt down in a fire that broke out on March 01, 2008 evening at about 18:55 from a hut of Sector A.

The fire reportedly broke out while a family started to cook evening meal. Over 10,000 refugees are directly affected.

All the refugees are now scattered and took refuge in a near by jungle and some of them are staying in a nearby school. No critical human injury has been reported.

Local residents living near the camp have also been very supportive, providing emergency shelter and food.

A Team led by the Honorable Home Minister (Mr. Krishna Sitaula) visited the site and committed to release 3 Million Rupees (about 50,000 USD) for the emergency relief. Nepal army and Police Force have been mobilized for putting up temporary shelters as instructed by the Home Minister. Different organizations have started donating relief materials.

One emergency meeting of District Disaster Management Committee called by the Chief District Officer of Jhapa District was held in presence of H'n Home Minister at Chandragadhi this morning. The meeting decided to provide all the emergency relief materials through DDMC except rebuild shelters and renovation of the water and sanitation. It will be planned, estimated and started by LWF Nepal in cooperation with UNHCR.

LWF/UNHCR will provide temporary pit latrines and water supply. A team of 25 staffs of LWF-Nepal has been providing support services to the victims since Sunday evening.

All humanitarian agencies including UNHCR, WFP, CARITAS, AMDA, ICRC, NRCS, RCU and other local organizations are providing support on their own. Local Community Forest User's Group working as a partner of LWF-Nepal has committed to provide fire-wood to the destitute refugees for two more days to cook their food.

The fire lasted for about 3 hours till 22:00 hrs yesterday night. 6 fire brigades from Chandragadhi, Damak, Biratnagar and Dharan tried to control the fire but could save only 228 huts, one main School and WFP warehouse, Office premises of LWF-Nepal, AMDA-Health Center, CMC and RCU Offices and the Offices of UNHCR, BRWF and BRCF in the camp.