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The current freezing cold weather and strong winds are seriously affecting the vulnerable, extreme poor chars population, who live in straw houses which do little to keep out the cold and wind, and often possess little more than a single sheet for an entire family. People have been unable to venture outside in search of work due to lack of warm clothing and the aged and children have been particularly affected by health problems stemming from the cold weather. To try and alleviate this situation, CLP has been distributing blankets in Kurigram and Gaibandha districts through our IMOs. As of January 12th, a total of 7,157 blankets had been distributed, 1,762 in Gaibandha and 5,395 in Kurigram. Blankets have been given to all recipients of the IEP Safety Net (those who are unable to participate in the works programme as they are too frail) and to all 5,000 households registered as the first intake of CLP2, commencing in April this year, as these two groups have been identified as the most vulnerable in these areas. Sobia is a young widow living in Bagbari village which is in Fulchari Union and Upazila of Gaibandha District. She is one of the new beneficiaries for CLP2 and has been using the CLP blanket to keep her sick daughter warm.
Basiron, of Deluabari village in Fulchari is aged around 75 years, who was a beneficiary of the IEP Safety Net this year and has been selected as a CLP-2 beneficiary. Her and her husband Kuddus, who is paralysed from the waist down, bedridden and incontinent, have managed to survive through begging. Kuddus stays in a draughty jute stick hut separate from the main house where Basiron sleeps. The couple are pictured here, with Basiron wrapping her CLP blanket tightly around her. Since this photo was taken, Kuddus has also received his own blanket.
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