Dhaka's homeless battle biting cold

Some engage in odd jobs, while others resort to begging, stealing or succumb to drug addiction.

Sleepless nights prevail as homeless people brave the open spaces, seeking refuge from the harsh winter. 

The sidewalks of Old Dhaka, including Sadarghat, Laxmibazar, Tantibazar, Bahadur Shah Park, Shyambazar, bear witness to hundreds of homeless and thousands of low-income individuals spending nights wrapped in scanty clothing, barely enough to ward off the biting cold. 

Among them, some engage in odd jobs, while others resort to begging, stealing or succumb to drug addiction.

At late hours when the fortunate are sleeping peacefully on comfortable mattresses, thousands of homeless people sleep in the streets of Dhaka city. In this picture labourers are seen sleeping on a footpath only using their baskets as the head-rest in Kawran Bazar area.n

Notably, Bahadur Shah Park and Sadarghat Launch Terminal stand out as  makeshift homes for many vagrants and street children in Old Dhaka. 

 Eahim Mia, a 51-year-old van driver, shares the story of his struggle, having resided in Sadarghat for 16 years. Although he declined to speak at first, he sat down to talk in the hope of getting winter clothes. 

He said: “The cold wind from the Buriganga does not rest on winter nights. It is comfortable to sleep here only in summer. And at other times you have trouble sleeping.”

When asked about the reason for sleeping on the footpath, he said his daily earnings barely cover basic needs. “If I spend money on food and accommodation, I won’t be able to send anything for my children back in the village. I came to Dhaka for their bright future.”

They say beggars cannot be choosers. Truly, the homeless do not have the option to choose how they live. Just like this child at TSC Chattar. These children sleep in the streets everyday, often joined by stray dogs. Photo: Dhaka Tribune

When asked why he is not buying winter clothes, he said that a blanket cost at least Tk300. “I find it difficult to earn Tk300 a day. So how can I buy one? Apart from that, many people give blankets or warm sweaters every winter night. If I manage to get one, this winter will pass.”

At Bahadur Shah Park, the same scene unfolds – vagabonds and street children facing the perennial cycle of winter and monsoon hardships. Foisal, a 13-year-old from Lalmohan Upazila, spoke of his struggle after leaving home due to family issues.

“You don't feel cold if you get high on drugs. But I don't do drugs. There are some addicts here who ask me to use drugs to make the winter cold more bearable. But I don’t do that,” he said.

“Last winter an older brother gave me a blanket. A few days later it was stolen. The one I am using now, I found it from a garbage heap. I have to get through this winter with this,” Foisal added.

Rahela Akhter, a 18-year-old mother, gave birth to her child in Bahadur Shah Park a couple of years ago and now survives by begging. She has become accustomed to the hardships of life on the streets.

"I don't feel the cold that much," she said, adding: "But my son has caught a cold. I took him to the doctor On Thursday."

She relies on the kindness of strangers to provide for her and her son. "Someone gave me this torn cloth to cover him when he got sick," the helpless mother said.