Staying ahead of the storm saves lives
Monsoon storms are not a distant threat. Rohingya families know what’s coming — and they know how devastating it can be.
In Bangladesh, monsoon season lasts from June to September – and every year, it heralds the start of torrential rains. During this time, everything is at risk. The danger extends to homes, vegetable gardens, water infrastructure – but most terrifyingly people’s lives are at stake.
Last year, the monsoon damaged thousands of shelters within days.
Crowded homes in Cox’s Bazar, made from bamboo and tarpaulin, are no match for the wind and heavy rains. Can you imagine sheltering from a storm in a structure so flimsy?
But not only is your home likely to be damaged, if not destroyed, flooding is almost a certainty.
During floods, toilets overflow and paths turn into rivers of waste. The floodwaters bring snakes and insects into your home – as well as damaging your possessions and leaving your food store inedible. Staying clean becomes impossible.
But that is not all. The torrential rains pummel the unpaved earth, the ground swells. Walking is now wading…through thick mud. Fears of deadly mudslides grows. News of innocent lives claimed are shared around camp. The dangers stare you in the face each day, challenges multiply. Preparation is vital.
But even if the immediate dangers are avoided, you would know from experience that disease like cholera and dengue are just around the corner. Access to clean drinking water is now just a memory.
And this year, with less funding, families are more exposed than ever.
But there is still time to prepare. And we know for certain that early action saves lives.
You can offer your support today by funding emergency preparedness awareness sessions for first responders in the camps—ensuring they are trained, equipped, and ready to act quickly when the monsoon rains begin. By strengthening local response now, we can prevent this annual challenge from escalating into a full scale crisis.
Families like Shamsun Nahar's work tirelessly to protect and rebuild.
Strengthening their shelters and even growing small gardens to feed their children. But each monsoon threatens to undo years of effort.
When storms strike, first responders are the first line of defence for families like Shamsun’s. Through emergency preparedness sessions, they learn how to respond swiftly to floods, protect households, support evacuations, and reduce health and safety risks before conditions worsen.
Please act before the rains begin, to saves lives and protect homes.
"During storms and floods, water gets in the house destroying our food and belongings, and we suffer.”
“The worst aspects of the monsoons are water entering the house, snakes and insects come inside [my home] and difficulty in moving around.
[We suffer from] a sense of insecurity, and disruption of
work. In addition, health risks for children and other family members increase.”
During the monsoon, Shamsun’s needs include safe shelter, clean drinking water, food and protection from floods and wild animals. Well trained first responders play a critical role in meeting these needs—helping families stay safe, informed, and supported when they need it most.
Today, you can prevent Shamsun’s progress from being washed away.
When the time comes to flee to safety, Romida is notified by an alarm or megaphone announcement.
She then knows to grab her essentials and usher her children to safety.
They will follow the evacuation plan they’ve been trained on. Walking through the elements to the emergency cyclone centre – which is safe but crowded. Extreme space limitations mean that she can only take limited belongings with her.
A Quick Run Bag would ensure she has the essentials at the ready and can evacuate immediately.
Romida’s most pressing needs during monsoon are sufficient drinking water, dry food, medicines, and a safe place to shelter.
“Previously we received umbrellas, more water, and lights from Oxfam. But now without them, we are suffering.”
Can you act today to ensure Romida and her community have the essentials to survive a crisis they know is coming?
The rains will start soon, but without these essential items Romida will not be prepared. And all too often it is the children that suffer the most.
Lifesaving Action
When cyclones, flash flooding or landslides are anticipated — families need to move fast to save their lives.
A Quick Run Bag ensures families can grab what they need during emergency evacuations and flee.
When the sirens sound – too often terror can set in. Packing what is needed under this pressure, leads to people being ill equipped to find their way to safety.
We support local communities with an evacuation plan and the essential kit they need to survive. Torches to light the way to the emergency shelter, an umbrella to keep as dry as possible and prevent hypothermia, a whistle in case help is needed along the way, clean drinking water and so much more.
It is more than just a packed bag – it is a time saver when seconds can be the difference between life and death. It is an escape plan, and it is peace of mind. When everything feels uncertain, having a clear plan provides reassurance—turning fear into action and confusion into direction.
Seconds matter.
This kit gives families precious time.
Help provide a family with items to survive imminent danger
There is a narrow window to act.
Once the rains begin:
Please act now. Stand with families before the storm.
Rohingya communities are strong. They have supported each other though crisis after crisis.
But now it is our turn to show our support. To tell them, we understand the struggles. We can imagine the fear.
It is now our turn to step in and disrupt this cycle of destruction and reconstruction. We have the power to change this narrative today by providing time-and resources-to prepare. We can give them a chance.
Can you give them that support today?
"‘It’s encouraging, knowing that people in faraway countries want to help. It gives me some comfort and hope, knowing I am not alone and that support is possible" – Shamsun Nahar
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