Flood-affected families left stranded

Heatwaves, hailstorms, rains jeopardize numerous homeless victims living under the open sky

KARACHI:

Despite the government promising timely monetary assistance to despondent flood victims, a large majority of families continue their struggle to rebuild a home, as they spend their days in and nights out at weathers mercy.

Following last year’s disastrous floods, which submerged almost 8 million acres of land, more than 3 million houses were damaged and over 0.4 million animals were killed, leaving innumerable families with no choice but to live in makeshift tents, with almost no electrical or sanitary amenities.

Even though the government officials who visited the affected areas promised the victims a prompt reconstruction of their homes, multitudes continue to live in harsh weather conditions, without a sheltered place to call home.

Ghulam Hussain, a victim hailing from the Qambar Shahdadkot District, was spotted toiling around a field during the daytime, when temperatures in the area shoot up to almost 45 degrees Celsius.

“The day time’s heat is nothing compared to the boiling atmosphere of our makeshift tent at night,” replied Hussain, while speaking to the Express Tribune on the challenges he faces due to a lack of shelter in the torrid heat.

Hussain further added, “this heat wave will continue for the next two months and people like us are uncertain of our survival.”

Such concerns are not limited to Hussain alone, since a majority of the people who lost their houses to the calamity suffer from the same dilemma.

Ghulam Nabi, a local from the area, shared the plight of his family and farm animals, as they struggled to find shelter during a recent hailstorm.

“When the hailstorm started hitting us and our cows, we were running from place to place, in search for shelter. It felt almost like an apocalypse,” lamented Ghulam Nabi.

Sick of the indifferent attitude of the rescue officials, some families have started rebuilding their houses on their own to escape the uncertainty that accompanies relying on the government’s relief.

“We had to sell three acres of our agricultural land, which was the only asset in our possession, in order to rebuild our home. Since there is no effort from the government’s side to help us, we had to sell our property to improve our situation,” said Kaleemullah Khoso, who along with his two brothers and their families had to spend Eid in two congested tents.

Speaking to the Express Tribune, on the plight of homeless flood victims, Sharjeel Iman Memon, the Sindh Information Minister, said, “the World Bank has provided Rs 110 billion for the rebuilding and repair of houses and irrigation systems. We aim to reconstruct over 1.8 million houses under the Sindh Flood and Emergency Rehabilitation Project.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2023.