Three months after the devastating flood that ravaged Feni, over 1,700 families remain in a state of misery. The flood left widespread damage, destroying 1,718 homes and partially damaging another 6,941. The long-term consequence is sorely evident although the passage of time has dulled the immediate shock. Thousands of people continue to live in temporary shelters, dealing with the mammoth task of rebuilding their lives with limited resources.
The scale of the ruin was unprecedented. Entire communities were evacuated, with the worst-hit areas with Sadar, Fulgazi, Chhagalnaiya, Parshuram, Sonagazi upazilas. Survivors recount harrowing tales of damage and hopelessness. Khokon Mia, an auto-rickshaw puller from Fulgazi, lost his home and livelihood, now sheltering with his family in an overcrowded irrigation office. Shamsunnahar from Sadar Upazila struggles to survive in a makeshift arrangement of plastic and broken tin. For many, the flood was not just a natural disaster but a turning point that thrust them into hardship.
Relief efforts, though evident, have not been sufficient. Management distribution of 400 bundles of iron sheets and Tk 12 lakh has reached only a segment of affected families. Contributions from organisations such as the Bangladesh Army and UNDP have helped repair some homes and provide financial assistance to a limited number of survivors. However, the scale of damage demands far more extensive intervention.
With timely intervention, well
planning and cooperative resolve,
we may help these communities’
people rebuild their lives and
safeguard them against future
disasters
Former Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhter has made an urgent request for 20,000 bundles of tin and Tk 6 crore to rehabilitate the affected families. This request emphasises the dire need for a swift and coordinated response from the management. Immediate allocation of resources and well-run distribution mechanism is necessary to meet instant needs.
At the same time, this disaster underlines the need for long-term planning to alleviate the impact of future floods. With climate change rising the frequency and intensity of such happenings, investment in disaster awareness is crucial. Priority must be given to establishing dams, improving drainage arrangement and enhancing timely warning systems. The establishment of a committed relief fund would ensure swift mobilisation of resources during emergencies.
The plight of Feni’s flood sufferers serve as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by marginalised communities. Their pliability, although laudable, is not a substitute for sufficient support. The stories of survivors such as Abu Taher, living on a relative’s rooftop and Shamsunnahar struggling to secure her devastated home, are a call to action for policymakers and humanitarian organisations.
It is essential that the management strengthens its efforts to provide relief and rehabilitation although addressing systemic vulnerabilities to avert future disasters. The collaborative efforts of local authorities concerned, non-governmental organisations and global partners are needed to ensure no family is left behind.
The road to recovery for Feni’s flood victims will be long, but it is not impossible. With timely intervention, well planning and cooperative resolve, we may help these communities’ people rebuild their lives and safeguard them against future disasters. Let us act now—empathetically and decisively.
