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Six Months On: Communities Bear the Brunt of Pakistan Floods During Ramadan
Last year’s monsoon rains in Pakistan resulted in the destruction of 2.9 million homes over the short span of two months, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing another 8 million. The floods that ravaged rural parts of Sindh and Balochistan have left nearly 20.6 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Six months later, large swathes of southern provinces in Pakistan remain inundated, and communities are still grappling with the immediate aftermath of heavy rains.
This Ramadan, many are now concerned about the resources required to meet their basic needs during the holy month. Thousands remain homeless and continue to live in tents, lacking basic access to food, non-food items, and critical healthcare provisions.
While relatively common and seasonal, flooding in Pakistan is only projected to increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change. In this context, women bear a double burden, and they are often most vulnerable to the challenges caused by climate-induced natural disasters. This Ramadan is particularly difficult for these women as they continue to face the impact of the devasting floods.
During the holy month, the burden of care falls disproportionately on women and girls tasked with the additional duties of preparing large meals during Sahoor and Iftar, as well as carrying water on their backs from far-flung distances.
Amid the climate carnage of the 2022 floods, a group of young women in the village of Iman Bux Brohi account how the floods have swept away their crops and stockpiles, causing them to become even more food insecure this Ramadan.
“Gone are the days when we could cook and eat whatever we wanted during Sahoor and Iftar. We used to spend hours with our mom in the kitchen preparing delicious treats for Iftar. Now, every meal is calculated – sometimes, we don’t know where our next meal will come from.”
After an already tough winter without proper housing or shelter, the six cousins prepared for a difficult Ramadan. As the cold weather subsides, and temperatures begin to rapidly increase.
One indispensable component of Ramadan is water. It is a critical prerequisite for making ablution to observe prayers five times a day and to breaking the fast.
“Each day, we walk between five to ten kilometres to collect clean drinking water for our entire family. Some days, my back aches so much from lifting water that I can barely move,” shared Sania who is 15.
Sania’s difficulties are only going to grow during Ramadan when she will have to carry water on her back, while she is fasting. She must resist the temptation to even have a drop of water until dusk when she breaks her fast.
IOM has been diligently working with communities to provide adequate shelter, as well as safe and dignified WASH facilities. However, the needs on the ground are much greater than the number of available resources. Despite that these young women have received a shelter and winterization kit from IOM, many of their needs remain unmet.
This Ramadan, IOM launches its Islamic Philanthropy Fund (IPF) to mobilise support from the Muslim diaspora to financially support those most in need as part of their social responsibility to those less fortunate. Generous donations this Ramadan can provide the essential assistance these young women and their families need in order to survive, such as clean drinking water and nutritious food.
