Photo: BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, July 21, 2026 (BSS) – "I live with my husband and son on government land beside the railway line. My husband works as an agricultural labourer.

"We barely manage to support our family. With our meagre income, it is very difficult for us to replace the tin roof of our house.

"Even a little rain causes water to leak through the holes in the roof and soak everything inside. I have spent countless nights suffering because of the rainwater.

"Today, I received two bundles of corrugated tin sheets and Tk 6,000. Now I will be able to repair the roof of my house. When it rains, water will no longer leak into the house. This assistance has helped me a lot. I am very happy and grateful to the government."

Shiuli Begum, a resident of the Hazrapukur area under Katakhali Municipality in Paba Upazila of Rajshahi, recounted her ordeal while speaking to the BSS correspondent this afternoon.

After years of hardship, she finally breathed a sigh of relief after receiving government assistance to repair her house.

Like Shiuli, 14 other poor and vulnerable families affected by natural disasters also expressed relief after receiving government support.

Having lived for years in dilapidated and damaged houses, the families are now hopeful of repairing their homes with the assistance.

Member of Parliament for Rajshahi-3 constituency, Advocate Mohammad Shafiqul Haque Milan, handed over the corrugated tin sheets and cash grants for house repairs to the beneficiaries as the chief guest.

He said the suffering of people affected by natural disasters is a humanitarian issue, so the government's assistance for repairing and rebuilding houses for vulnerable families would help ease their hardships.

"The government's goal is to stand by disaster-affected people and help them return to normal life. We want government assistance to reach the genuinely affected and helpless people. We will continue to stand by these families whenever needed," he said.

The programme was presided over by Paba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ibnul Abedin.

He said the corrugated tin sheets and cash assistance were being distributed as part of the government's humanitarian support for poor and vulnerable families affected by natural disasters.

Erfan Ali of Aliganj village under Hargam Union, one of the beneficiaries, said he had last replaced the tin roof of his house about 40 years ago.

"Today, I received two bundles of corrugated tin sheets and Tk 6,000. Now I will be able to repair my house properly. We are grateful to the government for this assistance," he said.

Nur Bhanu Begum of Nalkhola village under Harian Union in Paba Upazila became emotional after receiving corrugated tin sheets and cash assistance.

"I have married off one daughter and now live in great hardship with my other daughter. Because of financial constraints, I could not replace the old tin roof of my house for a long time," she said.

She said the government assistance would enable her to install a new tin roof.

"We have benefited greatly from this assistance, and I am grateful to the government," she added.

According to the Paba Upazila administration, a total of 30 bundles of corrugated tin sheets and cash grants were distributed among 15 families in the 2025-26 fiscal year as humanitarian assistance for poor and vulnerable families affected by natural disasters.