A New Start for Junmoni Panging After the Assam Floods

Junmoni, 43, lives in Saura Basti with her two adult sons, including 18-year-old Binod. Before the flood, the family earned around ₹6,500–₹7,000 a month through daily wage work, weaving and livestock. They kept 10 poultry and two pigs, which were important household assets and provided an additional source of income when work was unavailable.

The flood completely damaged their bamboo home that has been rebuilt through organisational support.  Beds, furniture, cooking utensils, clothes, bedding, food stocks, electrical appliances and other essentials were lost. The family's poultry and two pigs were also swept away.

“Because of the floods, our family is in deep distress. Our condition and situation are very poor because of the water. Look at our condition, we are facing many difficulties,” says Junmoni.

For a household that relied on a combination of daily wages and small livestock, these losses have made recovery more difficult.

Work is harder to find

The flood disrupted livelihoods across the surrounding villages, and regular employment has become difficult to find. Junmoni continues to take up daily wage work whenever opportunities are available, but the family's income has not returned to its pre-flood level.

With their livestock gone, the family has also lost an important source of supplementary income. For her, replacing the animals is not simply about recovering what was lost. It is about rebuilding an asset that can help the family earn and cope when daily wage work is uncertain.

A safer place to live, but recovery continues

The family is now living in a newly constructed house provided with organisational support. It has given them a place to stay after their previous home was destroyed.

But rebuilding their lives will take more than a roof over their heads.

The family still does not have access to safe drinking water, and their toilet was damaged in the flood. They are currently using an open pit toilet, leaving them without a safe and dignified sanitation facility.

SEEDS and other organisations have supported the family with food, household items, shelter materials and hygiene kits. This assistance has helped them meet immediate needs and move into their new shelter. Yet longer-term recovery remains important.

Indicative Recovery Requirement

Based on an initial indicative assessment, Junmoni's recovery requirement could be around ₹70,000. ₹20,000 is indicated for replacing the domestic animals lost, based on a typical small mixed holding for the area, to be confirmed through field verification. ₹20,000 is set aside for household utensils and essential items, and ₹30,000 for continued sanitation and drinking water support during the recovery period.

Note: Recovery requirements and costs are indicative and subject to field and technical verification. Support will be prioritised according to assessed household needs.

Together, Let's Help Junmoni Rebuild

A flood can change a family's everyday life in a matter of hours. Recovery begins with restoring the essentials that help families live safely, rebuild their livelihoods and move forward.

Your contribution can support Junmoni and her family as they strengthen their home, restore productive assets and regain access to essential water and sanitation facilities.

DONATE NOW

Your contribution will support SEEDS' flood response and recovery efforts for affected families based on assessed needs.