Torrential rains have led to severe flooding in Sindh, displacing thousands of residents who are now seeking refuge on the roads. Affected Christian families have contacted BACA for assistance, requesting food, medicine, and mosquito protection kits to ensure their safety during this crisis.
Torrential rains in Sindh, beginning on August 27th, have significantly raised water levels in the Indus River. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that continuous rainfall has led to urban-like flooding in Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, and Badin, impacting thousands of residents. Over a span of 72 hours, the rains have claimed 47 lives, including 23 children, 15 men, and 9 women. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the floods have displaced countless people and devastated thousands of acres of crops poised for harvest.
Christian families in Sanghar district have been particularly hard hit. Approximately 27 families from the village of Abdulsatar Sangrani have sought assistance from BACA. These families, who work as labourers on local Muslim landlords’ farms, reside in mud houses on land provided by their employers. Unfortunately, these structures are unable to withstand the severe weather, leading to significant damage or collapse.
August 28th, our volunteer Evangelist Daniyal visited Abdulsatar Sangrani, where he ministers to both Christian and Hindu families. He reported to BACA that many Christian families have lost their homes due to the torrential rains and have been forced to seek refuge with relatives in the neighborhood.
Among the most affected are five families—Tari Bibi, Sorja Bibi, Meeran Bibi, Mitho Masih, and Rumesh Kumar—who have lost their homes entirely.
Daniyal Masih provided further insight into the dire situation, stating, “The Christian families in the village rely on laboring in the fields for their livelihood, but the relentless rains have destroyed their crops. This means they will have no work in the foreseeable future. The rains have severely impacted their financial stability, and their situation will worsen until the floodwaters recede and they can prepare the land for new crops.”
Daniyal Masih highlighted that to feed their large families, these individuals will likely incur debt from various sources, primarily from their landlords, which will only add to their financial burdens. He urged BACA to provide essential support, including food and mosquito nets, for these families.
Mitho Masih, 28, the sole breadwinner for his family, has been forced to set up a makeshift tent on the main road passing through Abdulsatar Sangrani after his mud house collapsed on the night of August 27th. He shared with BACA, “Fortunately, we were safe when the roof fell in. We moved to the road and set up a temporary shelter, where we spent the entire night.”
Rumesh Kumar, 32, also reached out to our volunteer Daniyal Masih, requesting food and mosquito nets. His house suffered significant damage when the walls collapsed during the rains. There has been no support of any kind to these families from the government or from any other agency.
In 2022 and 2023, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) reached out to hundreds of Christian families who had lost their homes due to the record-breaking devastating floods in Sindh. We provided essential aid, including food packages, mosquito nets, and medicines, to areas that had been neglected by government relief efforts. Our support extended to both Christian and Hindu communities in the following locations:
- Raja Khan Mari
- Khwaja Stop and Meerabad Village
- Poppat Colony
- Khawaja Goth
- Ibrahim Khan Mari
- Poppat Colony 2
- Khippro
- Nazim Rajpoot
- Khipro 2
Additionally, BACA installed water pumps at four key locations to ensure access to clean water for these communities:
- Khwaja Stop
- Ibrahim Khan Mari
- Nazim Rajpoot
- Dariya Khan
In addition to our recent efforts in Sindh, the British Asian Christian Association has a longstanding commitment to flood relief. For example, in 2015 (click here), we undertook one of our largest projects to date, where we rebuilt mud homes with brick construction in Karachi and Bikiwind. This initiative was a significant milestone in our efforts to provide long-term stability and safety for families affected by flooding. These past projects demonstrate our ongoing dedication to not only addressing immediate needs but also investing in sustainable solutions for communities facing repeated challenges. We remain steadfast in our mission to support and uplift those in need, and we are grateful for the continued support of our community in making these vital projects possible.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association said:
“The recent torrential rains in Sindh have brought immense hardship to thousands, displacing entire communities and claiming lives. Our hearts go out to the Christian families who have reached out to BACA for assistance amidst this crisis. The devastating floods have not only destroyed homes but have also disrupted livelihoods and left families in urgent need of food, medicine, and mosquito protection.
The situation is dire, particularly for those in the Sanghar district who have lost their homes and are now seeking refuge on the roads. We are committed to providing essential aid, including food packages, mosquito nets, and medicines, to those who have been overlooked by other relief efforts. Our work extends to both Christian and Hindu communities, and we have also installed water pumps to ensure access to clean water.
In these challenging times, we call on Christians to stand together and support those in need. Your generosity can help alleviate the suffering of families who have lost everything and are struggling to rebuild their lives. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and bring hope to those facing unimaginable hardship.”
