ESDO’s PROTTOY Project Restores Homes, Hope and Resilience After Cyclone Devastation in Lalmonirhat

On May 23, 2026, a sudden devastating cyclone caused extensive damage in the Taluk Baninagar area of Tushbhandar Union, Kaliganj Upazila, Lalmonirhat District. In an instant, many families’ homes were destroyed, educational institutions were damaged, and countless people lost safe shelter and basic necessities, facing an unbearable situation.
To support the affected people in this emergency situation, the Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) is implementing the “PROTTOY – Preparedness and Response for Tushvandar through Organized Youth-led Action” project, funded by Start Fund Bangladesh, starting May 25, 2026.
Through this project, 13 of the most affected families were provided with shelter reconstruction grants for house repair and rebuilding. Additionally, 51 affected families received Multi-Purpose Cash Grants (MPCG) so they could meet their most urgent needs for food, medical care, housing repairs, and other basic necessities.
The project was not limited to emergency assistance; it also placed special emphasis on strengthening the community’s capacity to cope with future disasters. To this end, two completely damaged educational institutions were renovated, ten solar power systems were installed, and 200 trees were planted as part of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities.
A key feature of this project was the active participation of local leadership and youth. Local youth volunteers, elected officials, government officials, and community members actively participated in every stage—from project planning and the selection of affected families to implementation and monitoring. As a result, the entire process was transparent, accountable, and based on the actual needs of the affected people.
The PROTTOY project has proven that timely humanitarian assistance, local leadership capacity, and active community participation can collectively not only help a disaster-affected population recover but also make them more resilient and prepared for the future.
ESDO expresses its sincere gratitude to START Fund Bangladesh for their timely funding and trust in locally-led humanitarian activities. We also extend our gratitude to the people of Taluk Baninagar, the local administration, youth volunteers, and all stakeholders for their cooperation. Through our collective efforts, we have not only rebuilt homes and institutions—we have restored people’s hope, dignity, and faith in the future.