This period of hardship underscored the vulnerability of Rasida’s family, as they lacked a safety net or alternative sources of income, leaving them highly exposed to the economic and environmental shocks that often affect their community. Rasida’s story highlights the interconnectedness of inadequate infrastructure, economic hardship, and environmental challenges, which together compound the struggles of families living in disaster-prone areas.
After an initiative led by RVO-Rtf in partnership with Uttaran aims to address these systemic issues and improve the lives of families like Rasida’s. This initiative emphases on rehabilitating disaster-prone landscapes and empowering communities to ensure long-term resilience. By meeting immediate needs, like medical care and financial assistance, alongside investments in sustainable infrastructure, this initiative holds the potential to transform the lives of vulnerable families, providing them with the tools and resources to withstand future challenges and build a more secure and dignified life.
Hashem Gazi’s Struggle with Disability and Disaster Vulnerability
Landscape Name: Soladana, Khulna
Hashem Gazi, a 75-year-old blind man, lives in a riverside lowland community that is frequently hit by natural disasters such as storm surges and cyclones, which occur 2 to 3 times annually. His blindness and frailty make him entirely dependent on others for mobility and daily tasks, and during disasters, this dependency becomes even more pronounced. When disaster strikes, Hashem is left vulnerable, relying on neighbors or family members to help him navigate the chaos, yet they too are already struggling to survive the extreme conditions. The physical and emotional toll on those around him during these emergencies creates additional challenges for Hashem, who is unable to act independently in times of crisis.
Residing in a low-lying area by the river, Hashem’s community regularly faces storm surges, cyclones, and prolonged waterlogging, which destroy homes, disrupt livelihoods, and pose grave risks to everyone. However, for individuals like Hashem, these events are particularly hazardous. His inability to evacuate or seek shelter on his own further exacerbates his vulnerability, and the lack of accessible evacuation plans or shelters leaves him with limited options during a disaster. The community, already overwhelmed by the dangers and aftermath of such events, often cannot prioritize the specific needs of individuals like Hashem.
Hashem’s story highlights the critical risks faced by individuals with disabilities, especially in disaster-prone regions where the environment compounds their vulnerability. While his blindness and physical weakness make him reliant on others, there is hope for improving his situation. Through initiatives like those led by RVO-Rtf in partnership with Uttaran, a more inclusive approach to disaster preparedness can be developed. By implementing targeted support for individuals with disabilities and ensuring that disaster response strategies are accessible to all, Hashem and others in similar situations can be better equipped to face future disasters with greater dignity, independence, and resilience. This approach promotes a safer, more inclusive community where every individual’s needs are addressed, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis.
Laily’s Struggle for Survival
Landscape Name: Godai Beel, Satkhira Sadar
Laily, a 60-year-old widow, has endured a life shaped by hardship and isolation since the death of her husband a decade ago. Despite having two sons, they have chosen to live independently with their families, offering her no emotional or financial support. Left to fend for herself, Laily works as a domestic helper to make ends meet, but her declining health and dire living conditions have turned everyday survival into a relentless struggle.
Over the years, Laily’s health has significantly deteriorated. She has suffered two strokes and continues to battle liver stones, which require consistent medication and medical care. These expenses force her to keep working despite her fragile condition, compounding her physical and emotional strain. Her challenges are further exacerbated by the inadequate infrastructure surrounding her home. Persistent waterlogging leaves her house flooded, making even the simplest tasks, like commuting to work, exhausting and hazardous. The lack of clean water sources in her community forces her to rely on polluted water, worsening her health issues and leaving her further vulnerable.
Laily’s story reflects a broader crisis of neglect, both societal and systemic, faced by vulnerable groups, especially elderly women in rural or underserved areas. The absence of support from her family leaves her emotionally and financially isolated, while poor infrastructure, environmental degradation, and the lack of basic amenities deepen her struggles.
However, a glimmer of hope has emerged through an initiative led by RVO-Rtf in partnership with Uttaran, designed to address these systemic issues in disaster-prone areas. The program aims to empower vulnerable communities like Laily’s by improving infrastructure, addressing environmental challenges, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This initiative provides a path toward a more dignified life for individuals like Laily, offering not only solutions to immediate problems but also hope for a future where basic needs are met and systemic neglect is replaced with collective support and resilience-building efforts.