Hope amidst crisis: Pramita's journey of surviving Cyclone Remal

20 August 2024

“If I were not pregnant, we all would have attempted to move to a safer place before the cyclone struck,” said Pramita, an 18-year-old housewife and expectant mother.

Pramita lives in Jelekhali, Munshiganj. Every morning, Pramita would walk barefoot in her yard, feeling the cool, damp earth beneath her feet. She would then have rice and lentils for breakfast, prepared by her mother-in-law. After that Pramita would go about her household chores and tend to their cow and goats. She lives with her husband, Debashish, who works at a decorator shop, his parents and two siblings.

Then, Cyclone Remal changed everything.

Cyclone Remal’s toll

On May 26, 2024, Cyclone Remal swept through the coastal areas of Bangladesh, putting over 8.4 million people, including 3.2 million children, at risk. The cyclone devastated 150,000 homes and cut off road access to the worst-hit areas. Pramita and her family learned about the approaching cyclone from the internet and through community volunteers who relayed preparedness messages. The storm was very intense, and it was impossible for them to move. Their home was inundated with water for days and the roads were destroyed. Although their house survived, their cattle shed was ruined, and the front yard was a muddy and slippery mess.

For eight-month-pregnant Pramita, the ordeal was particularly difficult. Unable to move on the damaged roads, she could not access medical care as her condition worsened and she became very weak. She would feel dizzy after waking up every time she took a few steps.

Drinking water became scarce, and they had to rely on rainwater. The family had stocked up on dry food, which sustained them for the following days, but it was not enough for Pramita. She needed proper nutrition and medical attention.

“The heavy rain that started a day before the cyclone made it impossible for us to move to an emergency shelter, and later, the roads became completely unusable,” explained Pramita.

Helping families rebuild

Cyclone Remal's impact on the southwest region of Bangladesh was severe. The storm left millions at risk of drowning, various diseases, and violence. Countless people were unable to access safe drinking water or basic sanitation facilities including toilets, and many families also lost their homes. Markets were inaccessible, and thousands, including Pramita’s husband, were left without any  income.

UNICEF was on the ground since the cyclone was forecasted to strike. Working closely with the government and partners to monitor the situation, UNICEF assessed the cyclone's impact on women and children, ensuring coordinated efforts to provide swift support and relief to those in need. With response teams deployed by the government in coastal areas and community mobilizers sharing essential cyclone preparedness messages through miking, efforts were focused on protecting the lives and well-being of the vulnerable. 

Along with distributing essential supplies, UNICEF developed a cash-plus package for anticipatory action and rapid response to support families affected by the cyclone. Together with local non-government organizations Rupantar, FIVDB and SDA, UNICEF identified households with pregnant mothers living in the most affected areas by going door-to-door and urgently mobilized emergency funds to provide cash grants to 6,048 households with pregnant mothers, reaching over 19,000 people across 62 unions, 13 upazilas, and 5 districts. 

Each household received cash assistance of 6,000 BDT through mobile banking. The cash assistance is aimed to support families with pregnant and lactating mothers access a range of critical goods and services, and to offset negative coping mechanisms related to financial hardships such as high levels of household debt, child labour, child marriage, school dropout, etc. Additionally, community volunteers also provided awareness-raising messages on health, nutrition, and hygiene to the recipient mothers.

Pramita's family was one of the many that benefited from this initiative. However, this represents only a fraction of the population needing support to recover from the destruction caused by Cyclone Remal, underscoring the urgent need for additional funding to extend further assistance.

"I went for a checkup after we received the money. It was a week after the cyclone and the roads had started to dry. Still, it took me over an hour to walk through the muddy path," shared Pramita.

"The doctor diagnosed me with low haemoglobin levels and informed me that my weight has also dropped. I was prescribed four bags of blood and vitamins. With this grant, we paid for two bags of blood transfusions and bought vitamins, fruits and other nutritious food as advised by the doctor. The support from UNICEF was timely. It alleviated our immediate financial burden, enabling me to focus on my health and my baby. Otherwise, my husband would have had to borrow money to cover these expenses," explained Pramita.

Living through climate-induced hardships

While Pramita's health has improved, she still needs two more bags of blood and must continue taking vitamins. She also needs to maintain a healthy weight to avoid potential complications in the future. Although her husband has returned to work, opportunities are scarce as the community is grappling with post-cyclone recovery.

"Even during heavy rain, we get stuck at home as the roads flood, halting my husband's work and leaving us in a financial crisis. Rain, storms, and cyclones—these hardships affect us deeply," added Pramita.

Climate change poses an ongoing threat to Bangladesh, exemplified by the recent devastation of Cyclone Remal. Along with Pramita and her family, countless others face severe health risks amid these continuous climate shocks. 

Despite the devastation caused by the Cyclone Remal, Pramita showed incredible strength and resilience. She remained calm and bravely navigated through the challenges.

As climate change intensifies, urgent action is imperative to safeguard the future of millions, fostering resilience and sustainability for generations to come.