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Before the cyclone, Shafiq, 35, worked at a nearby ferry terminal; helping passengers carry their luggage in order to support his wife, Renu Akhter, 32, his elderly mother, and four daughters; Jannatul Ferdaus, who is four years-old, Akhinoor, who is six years-old, Yanoor who is 8 years-old and 10-year-old Assia.

Unimaginable horror

On November 15 2007 Shafiq heard about the coming cyclone on a neighbor’s radio, but he was not concerned, unable to imagine the horror in store.

However, when the high speed winds and torrential rains began he became afraid and sent his family to take shelter in a nearby school. Shafiq was reluctant to leave the house where he was storing four cows belonging to local people, but when a tree fell onto the roof he too was forced to flee; taking shelter in a nearby mosque.

A stack of bamboo and wood

As soon as the cyclone had finished he ran back to the house but found just a stack of bamboo and wood.

Shafiq is now living in the house where he is unable to even stand up straight.

Urgent supplies

With the help of the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), IR Bangladesh distributed supplies to 600 families in the Char Biswas region. Shafiq received 30 kg of rice, 5 kg of lentils, 2 kg of salt and 2 litres of oil.

This was a great help for Shafiq, who is now struggling to find work in order to support his family. Shafiq’s next concern is how he will manage to raise enough money to rebuild his house.

You can help by making an online donation.