Despite Home Collapse from Floods, Three Sisters Continue Their Education
In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, the family of Rokeya Begum, 40, and Dil Mohammad, 67, faces extreme hardship after their mud house collapsed due to recent heavy rains and flash floods. Rokeya, who is blind in one eye, and Dil Mohammad, who lost a leg in a 2019 road accident and is the sole breadwinner, are struggling to care for their four daughters in the damaged home, now covered with torn plastic sheeting. The family resides in the Garjania Union of Ramu Upazila, an area severely impacted by the July 4th downpours which caused the Bakkhali River to breach its banks, flooding 23 villages across 11 unions and affecting approximately 70,000 people. Their house, built on government land near a hill, had three walls crumble during the deluge. Despite the dire conditions, including damp belongings and a lack of dry space for cooking, the daughters are determined to study. They attempt to read outdoors on plastic sheets when the rain stops. Rokeya, who earns about 500 Taka daily from farm work, supports the family and their daughters' education, though work has been scarce recently. Their eldest two daughters are married and live separately. The family received some aid, including rice, lentils, oil, potatoes, onions, and 5,000 Taka from the Garjania Union Parishad, but it is insufficient for rebuilding. Among the daughters, Umme Habiba is in the eighth grade at a local madrasa, while Umme Salma, 9, is in the fifth grade, Jannatul Mawwa, 6, is in nursery, and the youngest, Akhi Akter, is four years old. They are seen diligently studying their books. Rokeya expresses deep sorrow over her inability to provide better for her daughters, while Dil Mohammad laments his helplessness as a disabled father. The Ramu Upazila Executive Officer, Md. Zillur Rahman, has been informed and assured that the family will receive support, including disability allowances, safe housing, and educational assistance for the girls.
This situation highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities to climate-induced disasters and the critical role of education as a pathway to upward mobility. The family's resilience in the face of severe adversity, particularly the daughters' commitment to learning, underscores the intrinsic value placed on education. However, the event also exposes systemic challenges: inadequate infrastructure, insufficient disaster preparedness, and the precarious economic situations of disabled individuals and their families. While immediate relief efforts are underway, a sustainable solution requires addressing the root causes of poverty and vulnerability, including access to secure housing, consistent income opportunities, and robust social safety nets. The long-term impact of such events on educational attainment and future prospects necessitates proactive, integrated support systems that go beyond emergency aid to foster resilience and long-term well-being.
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