Philsita Karketta Is Rebuilding Her Family’s Life After the Flood

A home is more than a roof; it is where a family finds safety and stability. For Philsita Karketta and her family in Chutia Basti, the Assam floods took that security away. After fleeing through chest-deep water, they returned to find their home destroyed, their belongings lost and livestock gone. Today, rebuilding a safe place to live remains their most urgent need.

Philsita lives with her husband, Ramesh, 52, and their family of seven. Before the floods, Ramesh and their two sons, Nikhil, 22, and Deepak, 20, worked as daily wage labourers in a tea garden, earning an estimated ₹8,000–₹9,500 per month. The family also kept a pig, a cow and ten poultry.

When the Flood Came

On the 19th, rising waters forced the family to flee. Philsita recalls the struggle to reach safety with her children and grandchildren.

“We escaped from deep floodwaters with immense difficulty on the 19th. Taking my children and grandchildren, we managed to wade through chest-deep water with great difficulty. We stayed away for about a week before returning. When we came back and looked, a cow and chicken had died, our house was destroyed, and all our household belongings were swept away.”

The flood damaged the family’s home and destroyed essential belongings, including furniture, utensils, clothes, food stocks and household necessities. The loss of livestock further reduced the resources available to support the family.

Moving Towards Recovery

Ramesh and their sons continue to work in the tea garden to meet the family’s daily needs. The family has received relief assistance from SEEDS and other organisations, including food, household items, hygiene kits and utensils. However, the family still needs a safe home and better access to drinking water and sanitation.

“We do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation facility.”

Philsita hopes to rebuild her family’s home but cannot afford to do so through daily wage earnings alone.

“My husband works as a daily wage labourer, so we cannot afford to rebuild our house, which is entirely broken and ruined. If someone could help us rebuild our broken home, it would be a huge support.”

Indicative Recovery Requirement

Based on an initial indicative assessment, Philsita’s recovery requirement could be around ₹1,60,000. Around ₹70,000 is indicated for rebuilding a permanent house, durable rebuild. A further ₹40,000 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. 

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 Philsita Rebuild

Philsita and her family are working to rebuild after the flood. A safer home, restored livelihood assets and access to safe water and sanitation can help them move towards a more secure future.

Your support can help them rebuild a safe home and restore their livelihood.

DONATE NOW

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