As we mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating Pakistan floods, we reflect on the catastrophic and ongoing impact this natural disaster has had on the lives of thousands of families and communities.

The memories of destruction, displacement and loss are still fresh, as we continue ongoing efforts in Pakistan to rebuild and restore hope in the lives of those who were most deeply affected by the calamity.

Comparing this year’s floods

The first of this year’s monsoon rains arrived in Pakistan earlier in July, bringing with them further destruction and devastation to the nation’s population.
Eighty-six people were killed and 151 more injured in the 4-9 July rains, according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Ninety-six houses sustained damage and 46 livestock died.

Lahore, in particular, experienced extremely heavy rainfall, leading to flooding in the city, while flood warnings were also issued to communities living near the Sutlaj, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers.

Upon the second spell of monsoon rains, the Chenab River flooded, causing extensive damage to the 50 villages nearby, with crops destroyed and communities cut off.

The Government of Pakistan has carried out evacuations and rescue operations and established flood relief camps in affected areas.

As the effects of the disaster continue, especially in flood-affected areas, Islamic Relief is working closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to assess developments as the monsoon season continues.

Remembering the historic floods

The arrival of the monsoon rains comes as Pakistan marks its 1st anniversary of the historic flooding event.

The 2022 floods were the worst in living memory, submerging one-third of the country and affecting more than 33 million people. The hardest hit were the areas of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, as ten of thousands of families struggled to access emergency relief and shelter as major roads and bridges were cut off and destroyed in the disaster.

By the end of the monsoon season, across the country, more than 1,700 people lost their lives and over 890,000 homes were destroyed, with a further 1.4 million sustaining damage.

Our ongoing response in Pakistan

From the very early stages of Islamic Relief’s response, it was clear that targeted long-term support would be needed to help lives and livelihoods in Pakistan.

Since the wake of the crisis, we’ve reached tens of thousands of people with aid, distributing almost 7,000 tents and 20,000 hygiene kits. We’ve also provided over 20,000L of clean drinking water, as well as delivered food packs to 25,000 families.

Our teams are also focused on helping communities recover from the disaster as quickly as possible, ensuring that vulnerable people do not continue to suffer the terrifying impact of the flash floods this year and in the future to come.

None of this would have been possible without the compassion and generosity of supporters like you, who allowed our teams to be on the ground during the wake of the disaster, restoring hope and joy to the lives of our brothers and sisters who needed it the most.

A year on from the disaster, please keep flood-affected people in Pakistan in your thoughts. Help us to support them in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods by connecting your giving with Islamic Relief.