“The house that we built through years of hard work started to sink before our eyes,” said 23-year-old Junaid Khan, who owns two fish farms in Charsadda in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Many rivers burst their banks in the region, destroying numerous buildings.
According to the Pakistani authorities, more than 33 million people – one in seven Pakistanis – have been affected by this year’s floods. Almost a million homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Pakistan’s government declared a state of emergency because of the disaster.
The monsoon season lasts until September
The monsoon season in Pakistan usually lasts from June to September. The monsoon plays an important role in agriculture and water supplies, but it also causes devastating floods time and again.
According to the authorities, the extent of this year’s floods is comparable to that of 2010, when around a fifth of the country was flooded. More than 2,000 people lost their lives and around 20 million people became homeless.
Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to climate change. According to the German development and environmental organization Germanwatch, it is the eighth country most threatened by extreme weather events.
Adil Sheraz, CARE Country Director in Pakistan, reports: “The situation is getting worse as further heavy rains cause flooding and landslides. CARE is distributing relief supplies to those affected, including tents and tarpaulins, emergency latrine kits and basic necessities such as hygiene items. Our highest priority is to support women, children and people with special needs. Many people have lost everything and now urgently need our help.”
Source: Nachrichten
