When disaster struck her neighbourhood in Dhaka, Sahana didn’t run away…she ran towards the danger to help her community. As a mother, neighbour and community leader, she’s working to rebuild not just homes, but hope.
Fire came to the narrow streets of Duaripara, a slum area in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with thick smoke coiling through the cramped alleyways, cutting off escape routes. Flames leapt from home to home, feeding on the wood and bamboo of the tightly packed houses and tearing through walls as families ran for their lives. “At first, I thought it was just someone burning waste,” Sahana remembers. “Then a girl came running and houses were on fire.”
The fire ripped through a row of homes in just moments. The narrow streets were impossible for firefighters to reach, leaving the community to fight the blaze themselves. Sahana didn’t hesitate, as smoke filled the air, she ran towards the flames, helping evacuate children and older residents. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. But the destruction left behind was immense. “Everything was burned. People couldn’t save their belongings. It was heartbreaking. I tell people not to panic – but what if there’s nowhere safe to run?”
“Home is a sanctuary where we should be able to relax and live life on our own terms.”
Leading Change Through Local Action
Unsafe housing isn’t just inconvenient, it’s a constant risk. But Sahana isn’t just any resident, she’s a leader. Through Habitat for Humanity’s urban safety programmes, we help communities like hers identify fire risks and prepare for emergencies. Thanks to support from people like you, we developed Fire Risk Management and Response training in Dhaka. Residents learn how to reduce hazards, carry out evacuations and stay prepared through mock drills.
We also provide training in masonry, carpentry, hygiene, and waste management. Our teams work on the ground building safer homes, delivering clean water, and improving sanitation. As president of her residents group, Sahana conducts monthly safety and hygiene training for 15 – 20 people. With her team, she’s helped build toilets, repair roads, and advocate for proper drainage to reduce risk and improve daily life.
Help Build Safer Communities
Despite all their hard work, Duaripara remains a fragile place to live. The ever present threat of fire, ongoing sanitation challenges, and limited access to clean water continue to put families at risk. “We are connected to this neighbourhood, but I want better for my children,” says Sahana. “Home is a sanctuary where we should be able to relax and live life on our own terms.”
She’s determined to create a safer future, but she can’t do it alone.
With your support, we can help empower Sahana’s community and many others like it. Habitat for Humanity is on the ground, working with families to improve housing, deliver vital infrastructure, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools they need to build safer, more resilient neighbourhoods.
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