Coping today, hoping for tomorrow - Runa’s fight for a sustainable future
Runa Akter's house was severely affected by flooding in 2025. Her husband, an agricultural day labourer, was unable to work for almost three months because of prolonged waterlogging. With no steady income during this period, Runa and her family struggled to meet even the most basic human needs.
Confined to their fragile house with limited access to safe water and sanitation, Runa, her husband, and their three children endured extreme hardship. The family’s daily life became a constant battle for food, clean water, hygiene and dignity amidst the devastating impact of the flood.
A cash grant was life changing, helping her resume daily life. The family had been struggling with food shortages, worsened by the destruction of their cooking stove in the flood. The first thing she brought was a 50-kg bag of rice and other essential food items. She also cleared two months of overdue school fees for her children.
"Our clothes and many household items got dirty with floodwaters, and the items we received helped us a lot. We could wash our clothes and disinfect household items. We could use the oral saline ourselves and also share with neighbours who needed it. These items were very important for us, but we had no money to buy them, so receiving this kit was a big help. We are still using some of them.”
After covering these urgent needs, she had about BDT 500 (around 3.50 GBP) left. With that small amount, she chose to invest in poultry by buying three chickens, which she is now rearing with the hope that they will soon provide eggs and meat for her family, items they rarely get to enjoy.
The support she received not only helped her family cope with the immediate challenges of the flood but also gave her new hope for the future.
Now, what she longs for most is a strong, sustainable house and a steady source of income for her family. Without these, she fears they will continue to fall back into the same vulnerable situation they faced after this year’s flooding and the years before.
By linking with government agencies and local donors within her community, Runa is hoping for a more sustainable future.
