Dear Sir,
Winter in Bangladesh is not merely a season; for millions of poor and marginalized people, it becomes a silent humanitarian crisis. Each year, homeless individuals sleeping on sidewalks, daily wage laborers, street children, the elderly, and women face life-threatening conditions as temperatures fall. This suffering cannot be dismissed as a natural phenomenon alone; it also reflects gaps in planning, governance, and accountability.
In the eyes of the law, protection from winter hardship is a fundamental right. Article 15 of the Constitution obliges the state to ensure food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. When citizens are left without warm clothing or safe shelter during severe cold, it signifies a failure to uphold constitutional responsibilities. Cold-related illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, fever, and respiratory infections increase sharply in winter, particularly affecting children, elderly people, and displaced women.
Although charitable initiatives by individuals, youth groups, and voluntary organizations provide some relief, assistance should not be treated as charity but as a matter of dignity and rights. Planned distribution of winter clothing, healthcare support, safe shelters, and awareness campaigns must be ensured with transparency.
Winter suffering is not inevitable. With coordinated state action and responsible citizen participation, winter can be faced with humanity, preparedness, and justice.
Sadia Karim Riya
Student, Department of Law,
World University of Bangladesh
