Columns | Dewar e Ehsas

The plea of the helpless.

2022 did not start off as well as expected for Pakistan, with horrifying floods reigning over the entire region of Sindh and Balochistan, along with the Malakand division of KPK. From June to October 2022, the flooding continued to cause rampage among the locals residing there, killing about an estimate of 1,739 people, and causing a damage of Rs. 3.2 trillion ($14.9 billion), and Rs. 3.3 trillion ($15.2 billion) of economic losses...

These torrential monsoon rains triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history, washing away villages and leaving almost 10 million children in need of immediate, lifesaving support, and at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition. Hundreds of thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, while many public health facilities, water systems and schools have been destroyed or damaged. In the days following the devastating flooding, standing waters have led to vector-borne diseases, with millions of people facing food insecurity. Access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene remain a challenge, and shelter is also a high priority. Pakistani authorities say the devastation from this year’s floods is worse than in 2010, when 1,700 people were killed, and a large international response was coordinated.

At that time, the UN Secretary General said that the disaster was the worst disaster he had ever seen. Local officials warned it could take up to six months for floodwaters to recede in the hardest-hit areas. According to official reports, at least 1.2 million livestock have been killed since mid-June, with severe repercussions on the livelihoods of affected households and the supply of animal products, including milk and meat.

What caused these devastating floods to occur?

Although ignorance and poor sustenance of natural resources played a part in the events that led to the disaster, the fingerprints of climate change are present in these unprecedented floods. Though areas of Pakistan expect rain in the summer, the country saw continuous rainfall for two months. In April, Pakistan also experienced a different extreme: record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius. On one day, the country recorded one of the highest ever temperatures – 49 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures means glaciers melt faster in the Himalayas and Hindu Kush region, which feed the Indus river. These temperatures have also made it harder for flood water to be absorbed into the baked hard ground. The 2022 monsoon rainfall in Pakistan is nearly three times higher than the 30-year average and rains and consequent flash floods continued throughout July and August. It will take months for the water to subside.

What has been done so far for these flood affected areas?

Google announced a donation of $0.5 million for flood victims in Pakistan. Meta announced a donation of ₨ 125 million ($565,000) for flood relief efforts in Pakistan. The International Rescue Committee deployed emergency response teams in Pakistan to provide immediate assistance.

Similarly, in one of its biggest relief operations ever, the Pakistan Red Crescent mobilised in July, and has since reached 580,000 people with emergency life-saving assistance. They are continuing to work closely with the wider movement, as well as national and local authorities. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has been able to get vital support to those in need, focusing on urgent necessities such as food, water, and shelter. So far, the Red Cross Red Crescent has delivered critical relief, including over 21,300 tents distributed to over 149,000 people, providing temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and over 283,800 people have been given critical relief items, including 26,500 food parcels, 33,300 mosquito nets and over 34,700 hygiene kits, 11 water treatment plants have been distributed, providing 187,000 litres of safe drinking water to 37,400 people each day. Over 73,000 people have been provided with critical health care through 13 medical health units, 17 medical sites, and continued first aid support. With the increased risk of waterborne diseases, Red Cross teams are also on hand with free medicines and treatment for diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

UNICEF responded with the Government and partners, and helped to deliver safe drinking water, lifesaving medical supplies, therapeutic food supplies, and hygiene kits to children and families. They also established temporary learning centres for supporting the protection and psychosocial wellbeing of children affected by these devastating floods.

Furthermore, celebrities like Angelina Jolie, who has for long been an esteemed member of the United Nations, also came forward to support the flood affectees.

But much more is needed to ensure we can reach all families displaced by floods and help them overcome this climate disaster.

Helping Hand For Relief and Development Pakistan (HHRD) donated out $15 million cash and In-Kind intervention, which helped 300,000+ people. HHRD Pakistan teams continue to assist families with food, non-perishable items, medical assistance, home rebuilding kits, and transitional homes. In addition, their Seeds-4-Hope package sustains and empowers farming families by providing them with the seeds, supplies, and training needed to produce food and income for 1-year.

How can YOU help?

There are numerous ways in which you can help the families affected by these floods. Any donation, no matter how big or small, helps enormously! Donations range from food products such as powdered milk for infants, canned foods, and clean water; hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, pampers, soaps; clothes and items for shelter.

There are numerous channels through which money can be donated as well: