Record breaking floods wreaked havoc across Pakistan killing over 1300 people and destroying the homes of 3 million people in from June to September 2022.
BACA reached out and provided help with tents, food and Mosquito nets to 13 Christian villages (click here) and (here).
We have also installed two clean water pumps (click here) and (here) while a third is to be installed.
We have now began a series of medical camps to curb the waterborne infections that have brought these communities to their knees.
The historic 2022 monsoon inundation left at least 10 Christian villages without food, water and shelter. BACA provided tents, food, mosquito nets and helped repair several homes in these flood-hit areas.
Pools of stagnant water still remain in three Christian villages where mosquitos have been breeding and infecting people with malaria and other water-related illnesses. Other water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dengue fever have infected local people and many have also contracted dysentery.
Most of the villagers in all of these villages became ill, but the only medical dispensary in the area was closed due to flood damage and no medical practitioner nearby.
Destitute communities of Poppat Colony, Ibrahim Khan Mari and Raja Khan Mari where however, able to access free medical support during a one day medical camp. The camp was organized by British Asian Christian Association’s team at Goth Raja Khan Mari on 12th October 2022.
BACA had planned to arrange a medical camp weeks ago, but it had to be postponed as roads were still unsafe and most doctors were fully occupied due to the scale of the national medical emergency. Eventually we were able to find a doctor from Haider Abad, almost 75 Kilometers away from Berani Sindh who agreed to help us.
Traffic jams and broken roads delayed our medical team by four hours as they drove to Goth Raja Khan Mari. On arrival Dr. Ikhlaq Amro and his team diligently undertook hundreds of medical examinations.
Over 200 people were seen and 110 received treatment. Infections for Dengue fever, malaria, dysentery and typhoid were traced and appropriate medical supplies provided.
These poor families till the lands of Muslim landlords and earn around 500 rupees (£2) a day. However, when the deluge struck, it laid waste to the crops on all local fields which meant local people have had no income. Ramial Masih (32 yrs), a farm worker from Poppat Colony, spoke with BACA officers who joined the medical team, he said:
“We spent almost one month in makeshift tents by the sides of roads.
“When we returned to our homes after the water had depleted we found that our walls had fallen and cracks in our hut roofs meant our homes were not fit for living”
“We have rebuilt our homes again, thanks to BACA providing building materials, but stagnant water is still in our village and sickness has ravaged our community.
“BACA have installed a clean water pump to replace one that was damaged.
“But today’s medical camp is their biggest gift, we thank every donor that contributed.”
“But more must be done by the Pak-Government to protect citizens.”
Ramial’s wife Maro (27 yrs) was pregnant and became sick due to drinking unclean water from a contaminated pump. He had no means to take his wife to hospital. All the money he had was spent on buying food for his family during the flood.
“I sold the two goats I had for Rs.20,000 ( £79) and bought food for my family.
“Soon the money ran out and I waited for help from the Government and NGO’s but nobody came to help us.
“Only BACA have reached out but there is still more need.”
Our volunteer Evangelist Danayl Masih (25 years) ensured all three local villages were informed of our camp and that people of all faiths new they were able to attend. He said:
“It heartbreaking to see how people in these communities are surviving.
“Water surrounds their village and life is uncomfortable and dangerous.
“These families need solid brick homes that will not collapse in the next flood.
“They cannot afford such protection however and they will continue to struggle.
“I have prayed with villagers regularly and they believe that God will provide for them.
“But more must be done by the Pak-Government to protect citizens.”
Mehroo Masih (28 yrs) informed us that his daughter Amrat Mehroo (7 yrs) was contracted severe diarrhea and fever. She was at the risk of losing her life if BACA had not arranged a medical camp at Raja Khan Mari. He explained that there was no doctor nearby the village and the family could not have afforded to travel or to pay for medical treatment.
The medical camp in total cost British Asian Christian Association £800 including salaries, travel and medical supplies. We would like to hold other medical camps in other needy villages but can only do so with your support. If you would like to contribute to this work please donate (here).
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“Our medical camp was a dangerous endeavour and we thank God that the medical team arrived safely and carried out a wonderful service.
“Roads are still treacherous in Pakistan.
The Government is focusing on repairs to major roads, towns and cities and these small Christian enclaves continue to be overlooked,
“People had contracted serious illnesses and many were in dire need of medicine and treatment.
“It is extremely disconcerting that not one of the Christian villages we have served has been met by any government officials or other NGO’s.
“These communities all need much more help and we will continue to do what we can.”
You can see evidence of our food aid in several posts:
People of Khipro receive food and mosquito nets (click here)
People of Poppat Colony receive food and mosquito nets (click here)
Goth Ibrahim Khan Hindus receive food aid (click here)
Christians of Goth Ibrahim receive food aid (click here)
We have also distributed Mosquito nets and food in Nowshera in the state of Khyber Pakhthunkwa, in several villages in Quetta and in Rajanpur
Other reports on the floods:
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