First responders to the fire were Rohingyan refugees themselves.[1] The Voice of America reported that multiple aid agencies despached "emergency assistance".[6] The United Nations Refugee Agency's speokesperson reported that he had "never before seen anything as massive and devastating", and that ground-based teams were carrying out a search and rescue operation in the rubble.[6] UNICEF operatives were also working in the camp, both administering immediate first aid and assisting with rehousing where possible.