Most disasters unfold quickly. The impact and aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods can be followed hour by hour on international news channels. Viewers across the world watch in horror as the dead are retrieved and the survivors face life without homes and possessions.

Pakistan was different. It started raining heavily in July 2010 and it just didn’t stop. At their worst, the Pakistan floods covered one fifth   of the country and 20 million people were affected in one way or another.

Over 2000 people died, millions of hectares of crops were lost along with thousands of heads of livestock.

Caritas launched a US$12 million appeal for the flood victims. The money is going towards providing shelter, food, clean water and sanitation, health care, rebuilding of infrastructure and protection for vulnerable groups like women and children.

Months after the floods, thousands of people were still cut off from their homes by floodwater. And as the country headed towards winter many more were still homeless and wondering how they were going to support their families.