Name: Samir Uddin
Age: 50
Location: Charpara village in Mymensing District
Does your spouse/partner live with you? Yes.
What is your primary job? Street hawker.
What is your monthly salary? My income was US$60 just two or three months ago. Now it’s around $55. 
from $60
What is your household’s total income - including your partner’s salary, and any additional same sources ? I don’t have any other income. My wife doesn’t work.
How many people are living in your household - what is their relationship to you? Four - wife and two children.
How many are dependent on you/your partner's income - what is their relationship to you? Four. 
How much do you spend each month on food? It was about $50, but it has increased recently. Now I spend around $55. from $50
What is your main staple - how much does it cost each month?Rice. It was $12 four months ago. Now it costs around $15. from $12
How much do you spend on rent? Nothing. I own my own home.
How much on transport? It was $5, but it’s increased to $7. from $5
How much do you spend on educating your children each month? My children don’t go to school. I can’t afford it.
After you have paid all your bills each month, how much is left? Nothing.
Have you or any member of the household been forced to skip meals or reduce portion sizes in the last three months? We aren’t skipping meals yet, but we have reduced portion sizes.
Have you been forced to borrow money (or food) in the last three months to cover basic household needs? In August, I borrowed $400. I can’t repay that loan and will likely need to borrow again.
“Because of the strikes, I can’t earn half the money I used to. When they occur, people simply don't leave their homes unless there is an emergency. And if people don’t go out in the street, how can I sell them anything?” he asked.
He said that his income is decreasing, but expenses are increasing.
“Food prices continue rise every day. I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse if the political situation continues,” he said.
Efforts to secure another job over the last few months have also failed.
“It's difficult to manage three meals a day on the money I earn. We have reduced the portions of food we normally eat, but may need to start skipping meals if it continues like this. Everything is more expensive. The transport cost has increased in just two or three months.”
Adding to his worries, he cannot repay a US$400 loan he took out earlier to pay for the family’s living expenses.
“Each day, the money lender is calling for his money, but how can I pay him when I can’t even manage my day-to-day expenses? There is nothing left after I pay them so I will likely need to borrow again.
“Either the government should control food prices or introduce a rationing system for the poor. Otherwise, we cannot survive,” he said.
mw/ds/rz
< December 2012
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
