One year on: “It wasn’t just the children who were terrified—each one of us felt that trauma and fear.”

20 May 2025
One year after the devastating floods, many in Pakistan still live with deep trauma and fear. During a visit to Sindh, I met families still struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. In February 2024, Gwadar in Balochistan was declared a disaster zone after relentless rains triggered severe flooding. Poor drainage systems led to submerged roads and damaged homes, forcing many to evacuate. The disaster caused major destruction, cutting off power and internet while displacing countless residents.

In a small village near Dadu, Farzana, a 22-year-old mother, shared her story.

“I was heavily pregnant when the floods hit. There was water everywhere. I had to give birth in a crowded shelter. My daughter is one year old now, but she’s still weak and underweight. The fear from that time has never really left us.”

Farzana said her daughter cries often in her sleep — disturbed by the trauma she experienced even as a newborn.

Like Farzana, thousands of Pakistan flood survivors are still living with the mental and emotional impact of that time. The floods destroyed homes, farms, livestock, and any sense of security people had.

“We had nothing left to sell.”

In Mirpur Khas, I met Ali, 30, who had lost all his livestock — the only way he could feed his family.

“We sold what little we had for a few rupees. The animals died, and we had no food left. I had to borrow money just to survive.”

Ali borrowed £26 to buy basic supplies — but now owes double that amount due to interest.

“We’re drowning in debt. I work in the rice fields all day, but we still can’t cover our monthly expenses. My wife is mentally exhausted. The stress is endless.”

His wife added that many women in their village face even tougher situations — especially those without husbands. Some are forced to give up their belongings to moneylenders. The physical labour is backbreaking, and the income is barely enough to survive.

The Trauma and fear never left

Ali remembers the day the flood came:

“We didn’t know what was happening. We grabbed the children and ran. The water came so fast — we couldn’t even tell which way to go. It wasn’t just the children who were terrified—each one of us felt that fear.”

For days, they lived on the roads, waiting for some form of help. Some never returned home.

Daily life is still a struggle

In another area, Akbar shared that his family lives on less than £1 a day — mostly from cotton picking. Women earn even less than men for the same work.

Many people have been forced to take out high-interest loans just to survive. These financial pressures have led to more tension in homes — with women and children often bearing the brunt.

“When a man can’t provide, he gets angry. We see more arguments, more abuse,” said a local woman.

Hope through resilience

Despite everything, the people I met were full of strength. They continue to hope for a better future.

Farzana, Ali, and Akbar all want the same things:

• A stable home

• A reliable income

• Education for their children

• And peace of mind

They don’t just need food and shelter — they also need healthcare, education, and mental health support. Most importantly, they need the world to keep paying attention.

One year on, Pakistan flood survivors are still waiting for recovery. They survived the flood — but the struggle to rebuild their lives continues.

Children’s Aid delivers your support across Pakistan and different other countries—from remote villages in Sindh to flood-affected areas in Punjab. When you donate to Children’s Aid, we take the responsibility of making sure your help reaches those who need it most. Even a small contribution can change someone’s life. So please, support us with your donation—together, we can bring hope and relief to those still suffering.