“Life Has Changed Completely After the Flood,” says Lilima Gam

Before the flood, Lilima Gam, 55, lived with her seven-member family in a bamboo house in Santak Bor Miching Gaon. The household depended on daily wage labour and livestock rearing to meet its basic needs, with an estimated monthly income of ₹7,000–₹8,000. Her son took responsibility for the family, while Lilima looked after the livestock and managed household chores.

The family reared poultry, goats and a cow, which provided an additional source of livelihood. The children were studying in different grades, and the household had access to basic services and community support

Lilima had already experienced a significant personal loss before the flood, as her husband had died. The family’s home had been built by her husband, making the house an important part of the family’s life and history.

The flood partially damaged the family’s bamboo house, including the kitchen, and mud accumulated inside the home. Essential household belongings, including beds, furniture, cooking utensils, clothes, bedding, food stocks, electrical appliances, school materials and other necessities, were lost or damaged.

The family also lost its livestock, including poultry, goats and a cow.

The family continues to live in its partially damaged bamboo house. The household has no access to safe drinking water or adequate sanitation, increasing the challenges of maintaining a safe and hygienic living environment.

The family has received food, household items, a hygiene kit and a utensil kit from SEEDS and other organisations. Food is currently available, and the children continue to attend school. However, assistance received so far has not resolved the family’s shelter, water and sanitation needs or restored its lost livestock.

Daily wage work remains the family’s reported current occupation, but income is only partial, and the current livelihood situation is described as disrupted. The family can meet daily expenses only partially, limiting its ability to repair the house, replace essential belongings and rebuild its livelihood.

Reflecting on the changes in her life, Lilima shared:

“Husband somehow made this house. He died before the flood. House was damaged in the flood. Somehow, we are managing. Life has changed completely after the flood”. – Lilima Gam.

Her account conveys the combined impact of losing her husband before the disaster and then seeing the family home damaged by flooding.

Over the next three to six months, the family hopes to repair its house, replace its lost livestock and improve its overall safety and stability. Restoring access to safe water and sanitation and replacing essential household items would help create more suitable living conditions for all seven family members. Rebuilding the family’s livelihood is equally important.

Together, let’s help Lilima and her family Rebuild.

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

Indicative Recovery Requirement

Based on an initial indicative assessment, Lilima's recovery requirement could be around ₹1,60,000. Around ₹1,20,000 is indicated for repairing of bamboo house, durable rebuild. A further ₹30,000 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 ₹40,000 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.