We Have to Start Again: Sibani Tuti’s Family Rebuilds After the Flood

Before the floods, Sibani Tuti, 32, and her husband, James Tuti, 35, worked as daily wage labourers in a tea garden, earning a combined income of approximately ₹7,000–8,000 per month. They also kept poultry and a goat, which provided additional support for their household. Their two children attended school, and the family relied on their earnings and livestock to manage everyday expenses.

The family lived in a bamboo house in Chutia Basti, Nazira. When the floods struck, their home was partially damaged, and their poultry and goat were washed away. Beds, furniture, cooking utensils, clothes, bedding, food stocks, electrical appliances, school materials and other household essentials were also lost.

As the floodwaters rose, the family had to leave their home and seek safety at the local church. The experience disrupted their daily lives and left them facing the difficult task of rebuilding with limited resources.

Sibani and James continue to work in the tea garden, but the loss of their livestock has reduced the resources they once relied on to supplement their earnings. Although the family has returned to its partially damaged bamboo house, shelter repairs and sanitation remain important concerns.

The family has access to safe drinking water and food, and their children continue to attend school. Markets and transportation are accessible, and no current health concerns have been reported. However, the lack of adequate sanitation and the loss of essential household belongings continue to affect their recovery.

SEEDS and other organisations have provided food, household items, hygiene kits and utensil kits, helping the family address some immediate needs. Yet restoring their livelihood and making their home safer remain important priorities.

Despite these challenges, Sibani and James have begun taking practical steps towards recovery. They have built a small poultry shed, creating a starting point for rebuilding the livestock-based livelihood they lost in the floods.

“Slowly, but we are rebuilding our lives again. We have put up the small poultry shed. We have to start again,” Sibani says.

Together, Let’s Help Sibani Rebuild

Sibani and James have already taken their first steps towards rebuilding their livelihood. Their efforts reflect a determination to regain stability for themselves and their children. Support for a safer home, sanitation and replacement livestock can help them continue this journey and work towards greater stability for their family.

Your support can help Sibani’s family rebuild a safe home and restore its livelihood.

DONATE NOW

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, Sibani's recovery requirement could be around ₹1,40,000. Around ₹70,000 is indicated for rebuilding a permanent house, durable rebuild. A further ₹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.