Christian World Service is appealing for Pakistan after torrential monsoon rains flooded one third of the country. The government says 6.4 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

“We are asking for your prayers and donations so our partner, Community World Service Asia (CWSA), can reach many more people with food, shelter and healthcare,” says Murray Overton, National Director. 

CWSA plans to provide three monthly cash grants of NZ$88 for an initial 5,000 vulnerable households, train local builders and provide materials for flood-resistant (elevated) housing and operate mobile health clinics in flood-affected communities.

One of those affected by widespread flooding was Tejan, a member of the Baloch tribe who lost her husband a few years ago. A CWSA team found her on an assessment trip undertaken by boat in early September. The houses in her small village were all flooded, but hers was a little higher. Seven women and their young children were sheltering with her.

Weeks before army helicopters had rescued its other residents from the rising water. Tejan tells the CWSA team that they had stayed behind to protect their assets and avoid contact with other men in the evacuation centres. 

Traditional Baloch women do not mix with men outside their community.

“Many of us have not stepped out of this house since the floods. We stay here and look after the house and the little children. We do not let them go out much and have to guard them well as there are many snakes in the water that come to our house. We have heard that a lot of the children in our village have become sick. Moreover, a one-way trip costs 50 rupees (NZ 35 cents) per person. We cannot afford this ride up to the road so we let our sons and men bring us what we need and what they can bring,” says Tejan.

For the moment her brother brings them clean water for drinking. Tejan laughs as she tells CWSA that it is holy water. Every drop is carefully rationed for drinking. They use water from her flooded tank for cooking and everything else she says.

Before the rains came Tejan had a good life but now her beautiful garden is three metres under water, her house is leaking and the floor is muddy. The outer walls are being damaged by the water. The only thing still intact is their dignity and that they will not let go reports CWSA.

“The floods have been much worse because of climate change. If we had not seen the images of people wading up to their necks in water or crowded on to roadways, I doubt we could imagine it. The weather is warm, and the provision of urgent supplies are unreliable. Many people are in danger from hunger and disease,” adds Murray.

Donations to the Pakistan Flood Appeal can be made at cws.org.nz or by calling 0800 74 73 72.