Empowerment Project for Flood-Affected Sylhet-2022

sponsored by Bengal Airlift Ltd.

OVERVIEW

Flash floods caused by persistent heavy rains in the Sylhet region have displaced thousands of families and affected millions. Many districts of Kanaighat, Gowainghat, Companyganj, Jaintapur, Zakiganj, Sylhet Sadar, Fenchuganj, and Sylhet and some districts of Sunamganj and Netrokona districts were flooded. Many families lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. A week of rain has caused devastating flooding in the northern part of Sylhet Division. Heavy rains from Wednesday 11 May 2022 will exacerbate the flood scenario. Residents of Sylhet went underwater three times in the past month. The worst flooding in 122 years has killed at least 41 people, stranded more than 4 million people, cut off electricity, and shut down airports and entire cities. The government has deployed troops to accelerate flood rescue and relief efforts. The MASTUL Foundation is committed to helping poor and vulnerable communities in financial distress through the Zakat Program. MASTUL has taken initiatives to empower 2,000 people living in remote areas of Sunamganj District through a post-disaster management project called ‘Emergency Flood Damage Rehabilitation and Livelihoods’ for Flood Victims in the Sylhet Region. In the Project area, more than 10% of people are living in extreme poverty. They have no certain income. Whatever they earn, they cannot the expenses for food. This zakat money will deliver an asset like a sewing machine, rickshaw van, cows, goats, and poultry for the income generation activities of those extremely poor families who have no government or other support. This assistance is directed to extremely poor families and aims to lift them out of extreme poverty forever. Therefore, Sylhet can prevent such turmoil and will not be a victim of floods in the future.

This program could not be possible without the support of our honorable donor Bengal Airlift Ltd. As they funded for empowering 3 women and 2 men. MASTUL Team is showing their deep Gramercy to the, beneath this collaboration, both the organizations effectively finished this noble initiative in numerous areas in the Sylhet flood-affected region.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

• Location of the Programs:

The project was run in the most vulnerable areas of the Sylhet region like Jokiganj, Sunamganj, Gowainghat, Jaintapur, kanaighat Upazila, and so on.

• Beneficiaries:

3 women and 2 men from 2 thousand people of Flood-affected communities from Jokiganj, Sunamganj, Gowainghat, Jaintapur, and kanaighat Upazila.

• What kind of Relief had been provided by the program:

The MASTUL group provided-

1. 3 Sewing Machine
2. Capital for 2 Tea Stall

• What kind of activities have been performed during the program:

The program was led by Kazi Rayhan Nafiz, Operation Unit Head on behalf of the MASTUL Foundation. The MASTUL Team participated in the entire campaign with a strategic plan and disciplined way. The main activities was started in Sunamganj District.

• Story of Program Beneficiaries:

“বন্যায় আমার সব গেছে…. টাকা-পয়সার সমস্যা আগেই আছিল। ভাবছিলাম সেলাই মেশিন কিনব, কিছু টাকাও জমাইছিলাম কিন্তু বন্যার পানিতে সব ভাসাইয়া নিয়া গেছে। অহন পরিবারসহ রাস্তায় থাকতেছি। মাস্তুলে বাড়ি বানায় দিছে, অহন এই সেলাই মেশিন দিছে। আর ধার-দেনা করন লাগতো না।…..”

Her last refuge in life was swept away by the tide. With the help of the MASTUL Foundation Rehabilitation Project, the homeless girlfriend Matin got her head back and smiled. Sujeena Akter is studying in high school and like everyone else her family was affected by the floods. Sujina’s tireless efforts began with the launch of Empowerment Project by the MASTUL Foundation. We wish her all the best in supporting her family.