A fundraising effort in the week before Pavee Point’s Christmas break raised enough money to buy more than 300 blankets and jumpers for Bangladeshis experiencing a serious cold snap in the country.

Nurul Amin, education and training manager for Pavee Point was made aware of the situation in December, when temperatures in the normally warm country plunged close to freezing.  While this wouldn’t have been very serious in Ireland, Bangladeshi homes are designed to keep temperatures down and homes well ventilated – a cold snap leaves people in houses, and the many Bangladeshis who sleep outdoors, particularly vulnerable.  It’s known that at least 39 people died in the recent chill.

A fundraising effort was initiated among staff at Pavee Point, who gave generously before and during the office Christmas Party.  By the end of the day, more than €700 had been raised from among the Travellers and settled people within Pavee Point, then immediately transferred to small groups working on the ground in Bangladesh, who bought 262 blankets and 197 sweaters to be distributed to the most needy.

The distribution in Bangladesh was run partially by aid workers operating in their spare time, and distribution was to the needy and disabled first, with children’s jumpers distributed alongside blankets.  The pictures show the distribution taking place – although we didn’t ask for or expect a banner with Pavee Point’s name, it’s important for aid workers in Bangladesh to be clear in their distributions who was responsible for providing the necessary resources.