Devi Rani's Story

Devi Rani- Bangladesh

At first Devi Rani, a Hindu, was reluctant to approach Muslim Aid for help after her house, belongings and livestock were swept away by Cyclone Sidr last November.

“I thought Muslim Aid would only help Muslims but I changed my mind when I discovered that Muslim Aid works for all,” she said.

Rani and her family fled their home in Kadomtala in Bagerhat the night the cyclone struck. When they came back, they found there was nothing left. The house was washed away by a tidal surge and their poultry was floating on the water. There was nothing to eat or wear. With the little money she had left, Rani bought some rice flakes for her husband and three children. They spent two days with just dry food.

“First we thought that Muslim Aid would not give us anything because we were Hindu but we were wrong - Muslim Aid helps everybody. The best thing was that they went door to door and delivered the relief. It was really tremendous. We are also happy to hear that Muslim Aid will build our house,” said Rani.

Like Rani, many in her non-Muslim community lost their houses during the cyclone. Muslim Aid is going to build two model villages for the survivors.

“We are very happy as Muslim Aid is going to build us a model village. We are really delighted to know that we will get a new house of our own,” Rani said.

Under Muslim Aid’s rehabilitation programme, it will build 360 houses in Kadomtala.

It will build 1,000 houses in total for cyclone victims in Bagerhat and Patuakhali.