Fear of the coming rains
As if that wasn't enough, the fire occurred while people in the refugee camp were preparing for the annual monsoon season. They did this with the help of the Bangladeshi government, the UN, Danish Refugee Council and other organisations. The rainy season in Bangladesh runs from June to October. During these months, the risk of floods, cyclones, torrential rains and mudslides increases dramatically.
"The rainy season floods the camps. If we don't act in time, we know people will lose their homes and belongings again."
Sumitra Mukherjee, country director for the Danish Refugee Council in Bangladesh, says.
"The victims of the March fire are even more vulnerable now. At the same time, there is a risk that our ability to respond to the floods will not be sufficient. That is why we need to secure funds now to help them. We must both build new homes for the fire victims and prepare them and other refugees for the monsoon season."
Mariam and her family also fear the coming rainy season and are worried about how they will cope through the monsoon.
"I don't know how we will survive once the rainy season starts," she says.