Conflicts and Disasters

Pakistan floods: shelter saved us

Pakistan floods: shelter saved us

By Jessica Howell, Catholic Relief Services (CRS is a Caritas member) The early days of last August seemed fairly unremarkable for the small Pakistani village of Rajo Bhayo, until the Indus River – swollen from days of unending monsoon rains in the north – breached a protective embankment nearby and came swirling towards the village. ...

Continue Reading...

Caritas Pakistan shares joys with flood victims

Caritas Pakistan shares joys with flood victims

By Kamran Chaudhry, Communications officer Caritas Pakistan Jan 28 was a day with a difference for flood victims like Haji Suleman in a relief camp of Karachi , the southern metropolis. The thumping of a platter gathered jubilant girls adorned in make-up and smiling children at Suleman’s camp as the sounds of merrymaking grew louder. ...

Continue Reading...

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Elli’s story

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Elli’s story

By Elli Xenou, Caritas Coordinator Pakistan I was at home in Athens on summer vacations when the phone rang. Cordaid’s project manager (Cordaid is Caritas Netherlands) sounded worried: “It’s raining two days now non-stop” he said, “something big is going to happen”. Then the first images of floods and destruction made it to the TV ...

Continue Reading...

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Monica’s story

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Monica’s story

by Monika Vrsanska, CAFOD programme officer for the Pakistan Emergency On the road to the village of Parto Malik, we finally see the water. A lot of water, considering the flood was supposed to have ended a couple of months ago. The road is very dusty and we cough a lot, but the surrounding fields ...

Continue Reading...

Caritas response for Pakistan’s flood victims six months on

Caritas response for Pakistan’s flood victims six months on

Pakistan is still struggling to cope six months after devastating floods that affected 20 million people. “There is still a lot to be done,” said Bishop Joseph Coutts, President of Caritas Pakistan. “We are now moving from the early relief stage to reconstruction. In some regions however, especially in the south, people are still lacking ...

Continue Reading...

Hope for a home after Pakistan floods

Hope for a home after Pakistan floods

By Kamran Chaudhry, Communications Officer Caritas Pakistan  Caritas Pakistan will support the construction of 2500 shelters for people displaced by super floods that swept away homes and crops in the Sindh province last year. “Restoration of basic infrastructure is crucial in returning life back to normal. Months of standing water has exposed the wooden skeleton ...

Continue Reading...

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Dulshan’s story

Pakistan 6 months after floods: Dulshan’s story

By Jessica Howell, Programme and Advocacy Officer, Catholic Relief Services Dulshan Bajkani looks to be about 23 years old, but she says she doesn’t know for sure.  Regardless of her age, she’s endured more in the last six months than any woman in her twenties should have to bear. Her nightmare began in early August, when record ...

Continue Reading...