The Policy Times Dhaka Bureau :
A cookstove fire broke out in Talukder Para of Tarachha Union, in Rowangchhari Upazila of the Bandarban District of Bangladesh on May 18, 2021, that destroyed 70 of 85 homes. The Talukder Para is home to 89 families, many of whom are beneficiaries of 𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐃’𝐬 𝐒𝐀𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, implemented by Helen Keller International (HKI) in the Bandarban hill district. Miraculously, no human lives were lost, but the livelihoods of the residents, including many SAPLING participants, were devastated.
The resident families lost all of their belongings and community latrines and water points were also destroyed or damaged. The local government immediately stepped in to provide food, water, and cash. SAPLING is meeting with local leadership to assess needs and plan for resumption of water and sanitation services, rehabilitation of infrastructure, reinitiating livelihoods, and income-generating opportunities. SAPLING is also coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DAE) to provide agricultural inputs to restart homestead food production.
