When Bangladesh is struggling with the worst floods in history due to continuous heavy rains and water coming down from India, PHP Family has given one of their factories as shelter for the flood victims in the Chhagalnaiya area of Feni.
PHP Family, a Bangladeshi conglomerate based in Chattogram, is providing emergency medical treatment and three times meal to the flood victims, took shelter at the PHP Integrated Steel Mill’s under-construction dormitory near the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
A medical camp has been set up in an office room, providing medicines and other necessary medical supplies.
In that dormitory, Navy personnel are using two office rooms of the mill as a control room. Over 300 mill workers are serving the victims. Additionally, more than a hundred PHP employees are conducting rescue operations in various areas of Feni, and relief distribution activities.
Fazlul Haque is a resident of Nanglolmor village, near Chhagalnaiya, has taken shelter in the PHP factory as his home is submerged in 5-6 feet of water.
Fazlul said, “I am unable to walk as my leg is broken. After water entered my house, some volunteers took me to the second floor of the mosque. From there, PHP volunteers rescued me by speedboat on Friday and brought me to the shelter.
“Around a thousand people trapped by the flood have taken refuge here,” he added.
All six sub-districts of Feni have been submerged since Wednesday. There is nothing but water everywhere. Villages and fields are submerged. Those who lost their homes are rushing to find shelters.
In the midst of this, PHP Family is receiving praise for stepping forward in the service of humanity. They have opened their factory for the flood victims.
Farzana Akhter, a resident of Singhanagar area in Durgapur Union, has been staying at the PHP shelter since Friday, said, "Due to continuous heavy rains for several days, water levels rose, and our house was washed away. We took refuge on the roof of a neighbour’s house.
“We couldn't eat anything for a day. I couldn't even imagine whether we would survive in the midst of the surrounding water. On Friday, a PHP boat came into the area like a saviour. Later, we were rescued and brought to this factory,” she said.
When asked about if she is facing any difficulties, Farzana said, “We are not facing any difficulties here. PHP is providing us with three meals a day and two snacks. They have arranged regular check-ups for my elderly mother. She is overwhelmed with the care she is receiving in this difficult time."
Tahmina Akhter, from Adarshapara village in Chhagalnaiya, came to the shelter with her young son with only the clothes she was wearing.
Nure Nahar, a resident of Kata Paschim Joar, said, "I am a kidney patient. I was trapped in water for two days. I could not get a medical check-up. After coming here, a doctor has been regularly checking on me and they are also providing medicine. I am praying from my heart for the PHP Family."
On Saturday evening, volunteers rescued four people and brought them to the PHP shelter. They are all residents of the Nanglolmor area.
One of them, Russell Ahmed, said, "There's nothing left, brother. Everything has been washed away. My home, built bit by bit, is also gone. We were trapped in water for two days. I couldn't take it anymore. PHP volunteers rescued us and brought us here."
Bindunath, a coordinator at the shelter, said, "We have shut down our factory operations to serve the flood victims. About a thousand flood-affected people have taken refuge in the factory. Over three hundred of our workers are serving them. A medical team is working to serve those who have taken refuge.
“PHP is conducting rescue operations in various areas with two engine-driven boats. We are supplying relief and dry food to the affected areas. We have opened our factory to the flood victims for as long as the flood situation remains critical."
