Bangladesh Family Forced to Leave Home Whenever It Rains, Lives on Aid and Neighbours’ Shelter

Every time dark clouds gather over the sky, Dalim Begum and her family leave their home and seek refuge at their neighbours' houses.

For the past 13 years, the family from Mirzapur village in Ponabalia Union of Jhalakathi Sadar Upazila has endured extreme hardship, living in a dilapidated house that becomes uninhabitable during the monsoon season.

"Whenever we see clouds in the months of Boishakh and Joishtho, we leave our home. During Ashar, Shraban and Bhadra, we stay at neighbours' houses because our own home floods whenever it rains," Dalim Begum said, struggling to hold back tears.

Dalim Begum is the wife of Kabir Dhali, a former day labourer who became seriously ill after an accident 13 years ago.

The family sold all of their land and possessions to pay for his medical treatment, but they could not afford the full cost of his care. As a result, Kabir never recovered and remains bedridden.

The couple has six children. Their two eldest daughters are married, while Dalim now struggles to care for her ailing husband, two younger daughters, and their youngest son without a stable source of income.

"There is no one in our family who can earn a living. We survive on government food assistance and whatever help kind-hearted people provide," she said.

The family's house is in severe disrepair, with damaged tin roofing and broken walls. Rainwater pours into every room whenever it rains, forcing the family to abandon their home.

They also lost their electricity connection nearly a decade ago after failing to pay utility bills and have been unable to restore the service.

"We don't even have a bed to sleep on. My sick husband and children sleep on the mud floor. During the rainy season, they often fall ill from the cold and damp conditions," Dalim said.

She added that the family relies on basic medicines from local community clinics whenever someone becomes sick.

Dalim acknowledged receiving government food assistance through a local social safety programme.

"Our local member arranged for us to receive rice and once provided a bundle of corrugated tin sheets. But that's nowhere near enough to repair our house," she said.

Local Union Parishad member Monju Sharif confirmed the family's dire situation, saying he has personally tried to help while also collecting assistance from local residents.

According to him, the family has received government rice, one bundle of corrugated tin sheets, and Tk 3,000 in financial assistance through the Union Parishad.

"Their house requires several more bundles of tin sheets to become livable. They are constantly forced to choose between buying food and repairing their home," he said.

Residents of the area say the family has been living in extreme hardship for years and that their suffering intensifies during the monsoon season. They urged government authorities, charitable organizations, and philanthropists to come forward with additional support to help the family rebuild their home and improve their living conditions.