“All I have left after the cyclone is the small patch of land. My homestead was washed away, and my cattle perished, which were the only means of living for myself and my nine-year-old son Rana, as I lost my husband long ago. I moved into my brother’s tiny home with Rana after the cyclone which is currently accommodating many people in inhuman condition.” shared Ruma (35) from the Patuakhali District of Bangladesh.  

Ruma and her family is a victim of devastating cyclone Remal that hit southwest Bangladesh on 26 May 2024. Ruma was unable to cook because she had no food in stock before the cyclone, leaving her family with no meals for days.  In this context, Ruma first felt a moment of relief upon receiving dry food assistance after Cyclone Remal’s devastation across the coastal areas of Bangladesh, including their district, Patuakhali.  For Rana, it was the biscuits in the dry food packages he and Ruma received from Save the Children in Bangladesh.  He looked at the packet and said, "Mom, today we are having food, and I want to eat biscuits. You shouldn't give this to anyone else; I want to enjoy it again tomorrow!" I’m grateful for the relief in such unpredictable circumstances.” Ruma stated.   
 
Save the Children in Bangladesh believes that the most immediate emergency response is the most effective when the uncertainty of a disaster event hits. Cyclone Remal tore through southwest Bangladesh with winds of up to 75 miles (120 km) per hour and tidal surges of 8-12 feet (2-3.5 meters) above normal levels. About 3.75 million people have been affected by the storm, including an estimated 1.6 million children, with 16 people killed and causing damage to 150,475 houses. We reached 4,670 people across 8 upazilas (sub-districts). We provided 450 packs of dry food with 5 liters of drinking water, 375 hygiene kits, 100 shelter kits, and 225 kitchen kits. engaging 2,250 people in Patuakhali.