How Pakistan’s Flood Victims are Rebuilding Their Lives

Ali Jabir

Islamabad: Whether seen as a test of endurance or a consequence of human actions, natural calamities leave behind not only tales of loss and despair but also of extraordinary resilience.

The 2022 monsoon floods in Pakistan were among the most devastating in recent history, displacing millions and forcing them to rebuild their shattered lives from scratch.

Among the hardest-hit areas were Rajanpur in Punjab and Jaffarabad in Balochistan, where families faced unimaginable hardships. Yet, even amid despair, stories of survival and recovery emerged, underscoring the indomitable human spirit.

A Mother’s Battle for Survival

In Basti Habib Patafi, Rajanpur, Wener Mai’s life was upended when relentless rains and flash floods demolished her mud house. With her husband Qasim and their three children, she found herself struggling against harsh weather conditions and a dire lack of necessities. Clean drinking water became a daily struggle, and with no shelter, the family was exposed to the elements and mounting uncertainties.

“We had no water for drinking and cleaning. We were out in the open, without any protection from the weather,” Mai recounted, her voice tinged with the pain of helplessness. “When I opened the packing of our belongings, most of our essentials were lost to the flood. We desperately needed them but couldn’t afford to buy them again.”

Relief came through the BRAVE humanitarian assistance program, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Concern Worldwide in partnership with the Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP).

Mai’s family received emergency shelter kits, hygiene and dignity kits, and other non-food essentials, providing much-needed relief. The assistance allowed them to construct a makeshift shelter and escape the relentless rains.

“The kitchen items helped me cook food for my family, and the soap ensured my children could stay clean. These small things made a big difference in our lives,” she said, expressing deep gratitude.

With time, Mai’s family has begun rebuilding their lives. The shelter and supplies provided a foundation for recovery, restoring a sense of dignity and hope in the wake of catastrophe.

A Daily Wager’s Struggle for Stability

Abdul Hameed, a daily wager from Murad Colony in Jaffarabad, faced a similar ordeal. Supporting a family of nine, including a disabled son and a wife battling Hepatitis C, Hameed’s modest earnings of Rs 600 a day were barely enough to meet basic needs. When the floods struck, his home was completely submerged, forcing the family to take refuge by the roadside for over a week.

“We had nothing left. Everything was destroyed, and we didn’t have any way out,” Hameed recalled, his voice heavy with the weight of loss.

Returning home, they found their house reduced to rubble. Survival seemed insurmountable until the BRAVE program provided crucial assistance. The essentials they received eased their burden, offering a semblance of stability in an otherwise chaotic situation.

“The assistance gave us hope; it helped us survive when we thought we couldn’t,” Hameed said. “We have a long way to go, but the support has lightened our burdens and reminded us that we are not alone in this struggle.”

A Long-Term Challenge

For families like Mai’s and Hameed’s, the journey to full rehabilitation remains daunting. The BRAVE program’s emergency response provided a critical lifeline, yet rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and ensuring access to clean water and healthcare remain ongoing challenges.

While the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and various provincial disaster agencies worked tirelessly for relief and rehabilitation, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international development agencies played a vital role. Their intervention, often working in tandem with local partners, was crucial in reaching vulnerable populations and addressing their immediate needs.

According to FCDO officials, hygiene promotion is an essential part of BRAVE’s humanitarian response, especially for women beneficiaries.

The initiative ensures the proper use of distributed hygiene and dignity kits, including awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene management (MHM).

Wener Mai was among those who attended these sessions and learned how to use the hygiene supplies effectively.

“Special facilitation was provided to physically challenged and elderly beneficiaries, ensuring that relief items were delivered directly to their doorsteps,” an FCDO official noted. Abdul Hameed was among the many who collected these supplies from designated distribution points in his village, highlighting the necessity of targeted aid during disasters.

A Testament to Human Resilience

Despite the staggering losses, these families embody resilience. Their experiences underscore the importance of humanitarian aid and the profound impact it can have on restoring dignity and hope to those who have lost everything.

The floods of 2022 were a stark reminder of nature’s fury, but they also brought to light the compassion and solidarity that emerge in times of crisis.

As Pakistan continues to navigate the aftermath of one of its worst flood seasons, the need for sustained support remains critical. The stories of Mai, Hameed, and countless others serve as a call to action for philanthropists, aid organizations, and governments to stand by vulnerable communities whenever disaster strikes.

Their struggles and triumphs remind us that, even in the face of devastation, the human spirit remains unyielding.