Winter is a familiar season in Bangladesh, returning each year with a predictable rhythm. Not all winters are the same. Some pass gently, while others arrive with biting cold and silent cruelty. The severe winter currently gripping the country has gone beyond discomfort; it has become a humanitarian crisis for countless marginalised people. Dense fog, freezing nights and prolonged cold days have made survival increasingly difficult for the helpless.
Across cities and villages, thousands live without permanent shelter. Footpaths, railway stations, bus terminals and open fields are their only refuge. They have no doors to shut out the cold, no warm beds and often no blankets. For children, the elderly, and the sick, the suffering is far more intense. Every year, winter brings not only illness but, in some cases, preventable deaths.
Cold weather hits the poor hardest. Day labourers, rickshaw pullers, agricultural workers, and street children often face reduced work opportunities during winter. As income falls, the need for warmth rises. Warm clothing, hot food, and medicine become unaffordable luxuries. In many families, a single blanket is shared among several members through long, freezing nights.
While government initiatives exist, they are often insufficient compared to the scale of need. This makes the role of responsible citizens, social organisations, and volunteers critically important. Standing by those suffering from the cold is not merely charity; it is a moral obligation. A blanket, a warm garment, or a packet of hot food can mean the difference between life and death for someone sleeping outdoors.
Winter also exposes deep social inequality. Some enjoy the season from within warm homes, while others shiver under the open sky. This contrast should trouble our conscience. Children and the elderly remain particularly vulnerable to cold-related illnesses, making early and organised preventive measures essential.
Standing by winter-affected people should be continuous and collective. Community groups, mosques, schools, and local volunteers can play a vital role in coordinated relief efforts. Winter will pass, but the warmth created by compassion and humane action will endure far longer in human hearts.
Sultan Mahmud Sarker
MPhil Researcher, University of Rajshahi
sultanmh17@gmail.com
