The Climate Podcast – Episode 1: Community World Service Asia hosts an insightful conversation with Shumaila Murtaza, MEAL Manager and PSEA Focal Point at the Foundation for Rural Development (FRD) and Nishanie Jayamaha, Co‑coordinator of the Secretariat for the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations. Together, they explored how the humanitarian sector is responding to the climate challenge and unpacked the Climate Charter’s role in turning commitments into action; from policy discussions to frontline realities and climate action already taking place in Pakistan. Tune in to discover how aid organisations are building resilience and driving change in this climate‑critical decade.
High in the mountains of northern Pakistan lies Broghil Valley, one of the most remote and isolated landscapes in the country. Located nearly 250 kilometers from Chitral town and rising between 3,280 to over 4,300 meters above sea level, the valley borders Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and is surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks. Broghil is known for its breathtaking alpine meadows, vast wetlands, and the stunning Qarambar Lake. During the short summer months, the valley comes alive with grazing yaks, migratory birds, and cultural festivals that celebrate the traditions of its pastoral communities. Yet beneath this extraordinary beauty lies a quieter reality. Life in Broghil is shaped by geographic isolation, extreme winters where temperatures can drop below –17°C, and limited access to services. Roads remain nearly impassable for months, healthcare facilities are scarce, and educational opportunities are limited.
Three years ago, a group of 28 young girls and boys from Broghil Valley were displaced and relocated to Gulmit, where the local community welcomed and supported them with care and compassion. The young IDPs have been well looked after and gradually integrated into the community.
Yet even in a supportive environment, the emotional weight of displacement and distance from their homeland quietly lingers. Loneliness, uncertainty about the future, and the memories of a place left behind often take their toll. Recognising this need, the Gulmit Council requested Community World Service Asia (CWSA) to organise a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Wellbeing Workshop for these young people. Conducted on 26 February 2026, the workshop was made possible with the support of the Week of Compassion (WoC). The goal was simple but powerful; creating a safe space where the youth could express their emotions, reconnect with their strengths, and begin healing together.
When Silence Turns Into Stress
In remote mountain communities, mental health is rarely discussed openly. Daily life revolves around survival, herding livestock, enduring long winters, and navigating limited opportunities. In such settings, emotions are often carried quietly. For the youth from Broghil now living in Gulmit, the experience of displacement added another layer to this silence. Many shared feelings of isolation, homesickness, and uncertainty about what their futures might hold. The workshop aimed to gently open conversations around emotional wellbeing and help participants understand that these feelings were valid and shared.
Painting in the Cold: A Moment of Resilience
One of the most powerful moments of the workshop came during a creative expression activity. Participants were invited to paint their thoughts, memories, and emotions. Although facilitators initially planned to conduct the activity indoors due to the cold weather, the youth asked for something different. They wanted to paint outside surrounded by the mountains and landscapes that reminded them of home.
Wrapped in warm shawls and sitting on the frozen ground, the young participants began painting the valleys, lakes, and peaks that shaped their memories. Brushes moved slowly across canvases, translating emotions that words often struggled to express. For many of them, it was the first time they had ever been invited to share their feelings through art. Some painted mountains as symbols of strength and endurance. Others painted open skies representing hope and freedom. What emerged was more than artwork. It became a quiet but powerful expression of resilience.
“In these mountains we learned to stay strong in silence. Today, with colors in our hands, we finally learned how to speak, shared one of the participants”, Zahra.
A Workshop for Healing
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop used several community-based psychosocial approaches designed to encourage reflection, connection, and confidence. Through therapeutic arts and storytelling, participants explored ways to release stress and communicate emotions safely. Guided reflection and mindfulness exercises introduced breathing techniques and simple practices that help manage anxiety and restore inner calm. Small group dialogues created safe spaces where participants could share their experiences, listen to each other, and realise they were not alone in their feelings. For many participants, it was the first time emotional wellbeing had been openly discussed and supported.
Power of Small Interventions
For communities living in remote and underserved regions, even small psychosocial support initiatives can create meaningful change. When young people feel heard and supported, they gain the confidence to cope with stress, rebuild hope, and strengthen their relationships with others. Programs like this move communities from survival toward resilience. They remind young people that their dreams still matter. They encourage girls and boys to find their voices. And they strengthen the bonds that hold communities together.
Why Support Matters
Delivering psychosocial support in remote mountain regions requires determination and sustained investment. Long travel distances, harsh weather conditions, and limited infrastructure make such initiatives challenging but deeply necessary. Yet the impact can be transformative. By supporting initiatives like this Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop, partners and donors contribute to:
Strengthening resilience among displaced and vulnerable youth
Supporting emotional wellbeing in remote and isolated communities
Creating safe spaces for dialogue, healing, and self-expression
Building more connected and confident young generations
In places where emotional struggles often remain unspoken, even small moments of support can spark powerful change.
Jami, a resident of Village Bandi, Union Council Kaplor in Sindh, grew up in a family where early marriage was a deeply rooted tradition. “In my family, marrying young was what everyone did. My parents believed it would secure our daughters’ future,” she recalled. Married at a very young age, Jami experienced early pregnancy, which affected her health and exposed her to the hidden risks of child marriage. She also witnessed the pressures within her own family, as her children’s engagements were arranged early in line with community norms.
Jami is the mother of eight children. The youngest child is six months old, while the eldest son is 16 years old. The other children are between six and 14 years of age. Jami had her first child at a young age, around 17 years old, soon after her marriage. Three of the children were born at home with the help of a traditional birth attendant, while five births took place in a government hospital.
During some of her pregnancies, Jami suffered from tuberculosis, weakness, and other health problems. She often felt very tired and experienced bleeding issues due to repeated pregnancies, short gaps between births, and limited access to proper nutrition and medical care. Having eight children in a short time span has had serious effects on her health. She has become physically weak, experiences body pain, and often feels exhausted. Repeated pregnancies without enough recovery time have negatively affected her overall well-being.
Her husband works as a daily wage labourer. During the rainy season, he is engaged in seasonal agricultural activities such as land preparation, sowing, weeding, and harvesting. Jami also supports her husband by working alongside him. Before and after the rainy season, he works as a labourer in road construction.
The family’s average monthly income is approximately PKR 24,000 (approx. USD 86), depending on the availability of work. Their average monthly expenses are around PKR 30,000 (approx. USD 107). Jami manages the shortfall and other household expenses through Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) installments.
Poverty, social pressure, and traditional norms often drive families toward early marriage in her community. “We didn’t have much money, and relatives suggested marriage as a solution,” she explained. “For many families, marrying daughters early feels like reducing one burden.”
When her daughter Khetu turned 14, similar pressure began mounting for her marriage. Jami was determined not to repeat the cycle that had shaped her own life. “I didn’t want my daughter to suffer the way I did,” she said.
Recognising the harmful effects of these practices, interventions under the Humanitarian Early Recovery & Development (HERD) and Agriculture, Gender & Livelihood (AGL) projects, implemented by Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and supported by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) and Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D), introduced gender awareness sessions and community theatre performances in Village Bandi. These activities were designed to educate families, encourage dialogue, and challenge traditional norms. The sessions provided practical information, helped families reflect on their own experiences, and enabled them to make informed decisions to protect the rights of their children.
The project began with community consultations and collaboration with village management committees to develop a curriculum on gender roles, rights, leadership, and decision-making. A total of 20 training sessions were conducted, reaching approximately 600 participants including 425 women and 175 men. These aimed to strengthen their role in household and community decision-making.
Jami and her family actively participated in the first open air theatre performance and gender awareness session held on 24 October 2025. Jami convinced her husband through persistent discussions at home, with the support of her father-in-law and mother-in-law, about the benefits of women’s empowerment and the importance of participating in training sessions. Her husband became supportive and agreed to her attendance once he understood that the sessions would help improve the family’s decision-making, income opportunities, and overall well-being.
Although he also attended the sessions, he was initially not fully convinced due to concerns about what people in the village might say. However, he received informal counseling from project staff during community outreach and household visits, which helped him better understand the value of women’s participation in capacity-building activities.
Through engagement with the sessions and performances, the family gained knowledge about the harms of child marriage, early pregnancy, and gender discrimination. They were prompted to reflect on their own life experiences and decisions. As a result, Jami and her husband made a firm commitment to delay the marriages of all their children until adulthood.
Despite pressure from relatives, they successfully refused to arrange the marriage of Khetu at age 14, ensuring her right to a safe and healthy adolescence. This decision brought great happiness to Khetu and marked a significant shift in family and community norms. At home, Khetu wakes up early in the morning and helps her mother with household chores such as cleaning, washing dishes, fetching water, preparing tea or breakfast, and taking care of her younger siblings. As the family has livestock, she also helps with feeding the animals. During the day, she continues to carry out domestic responsibilities. In the evening, she again supports her family with cooking and other household tasks.
Jami has enrolled four of her children in primary school, including her younger daughter. This means that only four out of the six school-age children are currently attending school due to financial challenges and household responsibilities. The others help their parents at home. The couple never went to school because, at that time, there were no schools in their area and girls’ education was also not given much importance. This further reflects the family’s commitment to education and empowerment, as they want their children to have better opportunities than they had.
While Khetu is currently not in school, Jami is actively seeking education and skills-development opportunities to secure her future.
Jami shared, “I want my children to make informed choices, not just follow old traditions. Knowing what’s at stake gave me the courage to protect them.”
Her story highlights how community-based awareness initiatives can empower families, encourage dialogue, and challenge harmful practices such as child marriage and early pregnancy. The project enabled Jami’s family to prioritise health, education, and rights. It highlights how sustained community engagement can bring meaningful behavioural change and promote gender equality.
Amir Hamza belongs to village Dain in Tehsil Ishkoman of Ghizer. His household consists of five members and is a male-headed family with four dependents, including one school-age son. Before the floods of 14 August 2025, which devastated Ghizer1 in Gilgit-Baltistan, his story reflected the quiet stability of a self-sufficient rural life. The village of Dain was peaceful, with functioning homes, cultivated farmland, livestock, reliable water systems, and essential infrastructure such as a suspension bridge that connected residents to basic services and markets. This sense of security was shared across the community before the disaster upended their lives.
“Before the flooding, life was peaceful and beautiful. We had our homes, land, cattle, and a strong community,” Amir recalled. He and his family owned a total of five kanals of land, of which two kanals were washed away in the flood. They did not own any cattle.
The sudden flooding destroyed nearly everything including homes, mosques, Jamaat Khanas 2, farmlands, livestock, water channels, and the village’s historic suspension bridge. Families escaped in the middle of the crisis to higher ground, relying on relatives, neighbours, and volunteers for immediate rescue and shelter.
Amir is a father determined to give his young son an education, even though the monthly school fee of PKR 1,000 is a heavy burden for his modest means. After the devastating floods, he returned to driving a rickshaw, his primary source of income, to keep his family afloat. The disaster had swept away much of what he had built: his small shop, along with pear and almond orchards that once supplemented his livelihood. Yet despite these losses, Amir continues to prioritise his son’s schooling, holding on to the hope that education will open doors to a brighter future.
“The situation was unbearable. We nearly lost our senses. Our relatives and volunteers rescued us, gave us food, water, and shelter, and treated us with dignity,” shared Amir.
In the aftermath, the community prioritised restoring essential services, particularly access to clean water. External assistance followed, with NGOs and donors providing food and cash support. Community World Service Asia (CWSA) conducted multiple visits and provided multipurpose cash assistance of PKR 30,000 (approx. USD 108) in three monthly installments, totalling PKR 90,000, starting on 13 Nov 2025. The cash was used for rebuilding and meeting food security needs. Most families used the cash for children’s school fees, debt repayment, to meet daily household needs, and rebuilding homes in safer locations.
Food assistance was also provided under the project. It included wheat flour, pulses, cooking oil, sugar, and salt. The quantities distributed were 100 kg of flour, seven litres of cooking oil, four kg of sugar, one kg of salt, and eight kg of pulses. This support was provided for one month, and it helped meet the basic household food needs during that period.
“We are using the cash according to our needs such as education, housing, and daily survival. This support has helped us stand again,” said Amir.
The family has experienced a significant improvement in living conditions after receiving a new house, financial support, and food rations, which have greatly reduced their hardships. However, some challenges remain unresolved, such as the restoration of lost agricultural land and the full recovery of livelihood assets. Although the family is now more stable due to the assistance, they remain partially vulnerable, particularly regarding income from agriculture and other lost assets.
Amir’s account reflects a broader pattern observed across Ghizer; while the floods caused devastating losses, strong social cohesion, timely humanitarian assistance, and community-led recovery efforts have been central to restoring dignity and hope.
On January 19, 2026, at 11:21 AM local time, a shallow earthquake of magnitude Mw 5.6–5.8 struck Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan. The epicenter near Barishal severely impacted the remote Chipursan Valley in Upper Hunza. Despite its moderate magnitude, the shallow depth and fragile mountainous terrain caused significant localised destruction.
At least two lives were lost, several individuals injured, and eleven villages were affected; three of them completely destroyed. Approximately 300 households (2,100–2,400 people) are displaced, many now sheltering in tents, damaged homes, or with host families in nearby settlements such as Sost and Gulmit. The disaster coincided with peak winter, with temperatures dropping to –20°C, heightening risks of hypothermia and cold-related illness.
Landslides disrupted road access and damaged critical infrastructure, including micro-hydropower systems, water channels, and livestock shelters. Power outages have left families without heating, lighting, or communication during extreme winter conditions.
Impact Snapshot
Impact Area
Details
Fatalities
2 confirmed
Injuries
Several reported
Villages affected
11 (3 fully destroyed)
Households affected
300 HHs (2,100–2,400 people)
Displacement
Families in tents, damaged homes, or host communities
Infrastructure damage
Roads blocked, micro-hydropower destroyed, water channels & shelters damaged
Vulnerable groups
Women-headed households, children, elderly, persons with disabilities
Multipurpose cash assistance for food, heating fuel, medicines, and temporary accommodation.
Winterisation support including winterized tents and non-food items to protect families from sub-zero temperatures.
Shelter and medical care for displaced families living in unsafe or temporary arrangements.
Psychosocial support to address trauma, stress, and displacement-related anxiety.
Community World Service Asia’s (CWSA) Response
Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in coordination with the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), Hunza District Administration, and humanitarian partners, has launched a community-centered, gender-responsive emergency response. Quality, Accountability and Safeguarding (QAS) measures have been applied throughout the response, including community consultations, transparent participant verification, and complaint and feedback mechanisms to ensure accountability and safe programming for affected communities.
Plan and Action:
Field Office Established: A base set up in Khudadad Sost to coordinate relief operations
Household Assessments: Surveys completed across nine villages covering 300 households, with verification underway by the MEAL team.
Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA): The first tranche for 300 households is planned to be disbursed tentatively scheduled for the third week of March, following completion of verification and administrative processes
Winterisation Kits: Procurement of high-quality kits aligned with global standards and community needs for 200 households underway
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS):
10 group sessions conducted, reaching 351 participants (women, girls, children, elderly, persons with disabilities).
27 individual counselling sessions provided, focusing on trauma, stress, and coping strategies.
Special session organised for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Chitral, engaging 28 participants.
Solidarity and Partnership
These interventions are made possible through the support and solidarity of our global partners, ACT Alliance and Week of Compassion, whose commitment strengthens our ability to respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis.
CWSA remains committed to ensuring dignified, inclusive, and effective humanitarian assistance for the affected communities of Chipursan Valley. Our response prioritises the most vulnerable, while building resilience and solidarity across the region.
Contacts:
Shama Mall Deputy Regional Director Programs & Organisational Development Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
High in the northernmost reaches of Pakistan, in Upper Hunza of Gilgit-Baltistan, lies the remote and breathtaking Chupurson Valley. Bordering the Wakhan Corridor and surrounded by towering peaks and vast glaciers, this isolated valley is home to a resilient Wakhi community whose lives revolve around livestock, small-scale farming, and deep-rooted traditions. Winters here are long and merciless. In January, temperatures plunge to –19°C and –20°C, freezing water sources, sealing off roads, and testing human endurance.
On January 19, 2026, at approximately 11:21 AM, that endurance was tested beyond measure. A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the valley, its shallow depth amplifying the violent shaking. The epicenter was near the Yash Kuk Glacier and Zoodkhun village, about 50 kilometers north-northwest of Karimabad, Hunza. The tremor was followed by relentless aftershocks, prolonging fear and instability.
The impact was devastating.
At least 11 villages were affected, with Zoodkhun and Shetmerg among the hardest hit. Nearly 2,500 people across 500 households were impacted. Between 210 and 300 homes, built largely of stone, mud, and timber, collapsed or were rendered unsafe. Landslides cut off road access, isolating communities already battling extreme weather. Livestock sheds crumbled, leading to significant animal losses, a devastating blow in a region where animals are central to survival. With temperatures dropping to –20°C, families were forced to seek refuge in tents pitched over frozen ground. Nights were brutal, the cold seeping through fabric and blankets, while every aftershock revived panic and trauma.
Amid these statistics is the story of one mother.
That morning, she was preparing tea when the first tremor rattled her home. Her son had been playing outside moments earlier. Instinctively, she ran to find him, but in the confusion, he had rushed back inside. Within seconds, the house collapsed. Dust and debris filled the air. Amid the chaos, she heard his faint voice beneath the rubble. Neighbours rushed to help, digging with bare hands and shovels. Hours of desperate effort finally pulled him out alive. Injured and in urgent need of care, he was evacuated by helicopter the following day. Today, he is physically recovering, but emotionally, the earthquake still grips him, startled by aftershocks, waking at night in fear, like many other children of the valley.
Relief efforts were initiated by the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and local NGOs, distributing tents, blankets, food packs, and kerosene heaters. Yet ongoing aftershocks, blocked roads, and extreme cold slowed assistance, creating a critical humanitarian situation.
For the people of Chupurson, survival is not new. But this disaster has left scars deeper than cracked walls and fallen roofs. It has shaken a community already living on the edge of geography and climate. Rebuilding will require more than bricks and timber, it will require restoring a sense of safety in a land where the earth itself has become uncertain.
Community World Service Asia’s (CWSA) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Response
In response to the earthquake, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is supporting local communities with emergency winterisation assistance along with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) sessions, specifically requested by families enduring freezing temperatures and difficult conditions. Children were traumatised and frightened, and many families refused to return to their cracked homes.
Through its MHPSS initiatives, which are financially supported by Week of Compassion (WoC), CWSA has conducted 10 sessions, directly reaching 352 individuals, including affected community members and internally displaced persons (IDPs). In addition, 27 one-on-one counseling sessions are also provided to youth and elders, offering targeted psychosocial support.
The team also responded to a special request from the Gulmit Council to facilitate a dedicated session for 28 youth IDPs from Chitral (Baroghol), who had been hosted by local families in Gulmit for the past three years. A comprehensive full-day session was conducted, providing them with tailored support and engagement.
These interventions not only address immediate trauma but also contribute to strengthening resilience, restoring hope, and reaffirming community solidarity in the face of disaster.
In Chupurson Valley, the earth may have trembled, but the spirit of its people, supported by collective action and compassion, remains unshaken.
Islamabad, 30 January, 2026 – Community World Service Asia (CWSA) successfully concluded a three-day Participatory Assessment of Climate and Disaster Risks (PACDR) workshop, held from January 28 to 30, 2026. The workshop, part of the Regional Enhancement of Climate Adaptation and Partnership (RECAP) Project, equipped development professionals with practical tools for community-led climate resilience planning.
Led by lead facilitator Dr Manzoor Ahmed, the training fostered a dynamic exchange among professionals from seven partner organisations working across climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Participants included representatives from Christian Study Centre, Labour Education Foundation (LEF), Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI), Roots for Equity, South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP PK), Taangh Wasaib Organisation (TWO), and Sojhla for Social Change.
The workshop gained a valuable regional perspective from Ashik Sardar, RECAP Coordinator from CCDB Bangladesh, who shared insights on the application and impact of the PACDR process in various countries.
Participants highlighted the training’s practical value for grassroots work. Jalwat Ali, a participant, noted, “This kind of training will help grassroots organisations reach communities effectively. I will apply this learning to support informal workers in Punjab.” Asher Shehzad from PPI emphasised the collaborative spirit, stating, “Working as a consortium is a need of the time in shrinking civic spaces.”
Rubina Shaheen, a community social worker from Hunza, shared that nature-based solutions are vital for tackling climate change, adding, “I have learned practical tools for disaster risk reduction planning that will be immensely helpful.”
The closing ceremony was honoured by Dr Roomi Saeed Hayat, CEO of the Institute of Rural Management (IRM) and Chairperson of the Climate Action Forum, as the Chief Guest. DrHayat commended the joint efforts and underscored the critical importance of localised, participatory approaches in building lasting climate resilience.
Over the three days, attendees engaged in hands-on modules covering climate risk and hazard analysis, participatory mapping, adaptation option evaluation, and the development of actionable Climate Adaptation Plans (CAPs). The workshop emphasised field-ready methodologies to integrate climate action into sustainable development programming.
CWSA remains dedicated to advancing community-led adaptation and disaster risk reduction through strategic capacity building, partnerships, and inclusive planning processes.
Imtiaz Bibi, a mother of four from Talidas village, represents the experience of many women whose livelihoods and homes were completely destroyed by the 2025 floods1 in various villages of district Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan. Before the disaster, she worked in agricultural fields and orchards, cultivating crops and selling fruit and wood to cover her household expenses and her children’s education.
Despite the challenges her family faces, Imtiaz Bibi ensures all four of her children remain in school. Her youngest attends Early Childhood Development classes, while the older three are progressing through Grades 10, 9, and 6. Together, their education costs amount to around PKR 15,000 (approximately USD 54) each month, a significant expense for the family. With her husband, Ijlal Hussain, currently unemployed, the couple works side by side in the fields, relying on farming as their primary source of income to sustain their family and keep their children’s education on track.
“Before the floods, we worked on our fields and orchards and sold fruit and wood. The income covered my children’s education and our yearly household needs,” she shared.
The couple sold fruits such as apples, cherries, pears, apricots, almonds, and grapes. Their total earnings before the flood amounted to PKR 450,000 (approx. $ 1,600). This income was sufficient to cover her basic household needs, including kitchen expenses and construction costs, as well the children’s monthly school fee of about PKR 28,000 (approx. $100-101).
The floods washed away her home, farmland, orchards, and all sources of income. They had two houses constructed with cement. One house consisted of four rooms, while the other had six rooms. Like many families in Ghizer, Imtiaz Bibi and her family took shelter in tents on higher ground for several days before moving in with relatives for sometime, who live in a nearby village, due to fear of further flooding. However, due to limited space, they later moved to a tent.
“We lost everything; our house, crops, and orchards. We lived in a tent for 10 days and then moved to our relatives because we were afraid the flood would return,” she said.
Humanitarian assistance played a critical role in helping her family stabilise. Community World Service Asia (CWSA) provided food and cash assistance, with funding from ACT Alliance.
The project was implemented in coordination with Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) to obtain primary data on flood-affected communities. At the start of the project, the CWSA project team coordinated with district-level stakeholders, including AKDN, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), the Social Welfare Department, and NGOs/civil society organisations, to collect primary data and avoid duplication of assistance.
The food assistance by CWSA comprised 100 kg of flour, 7 liters of cooking oil, 4 kg of sugar, 1 kg of salt, and 8 kg of pulses. Currently, the family is eating two meals a day, which consist of a balance of staple foods supported through humanitarian assistance. The family also received multipurpose cash assistance in three installments of PKR 30,000 PKR (approx. USD 108) each, totaling PKR 90,000 (approx. USD 324) over a period of three months.
The project supported a total of 264 families across three Tehsil Headquarters (THQs) in District Ghizer including 157 families in THQ Gupis, 83 families in THQ Ishkoman, and the remaining families in THQ Punyal.
“CWSA supported us with food and cash. We used the cash to hire labour and cover construction costs. At that time, my husband had no work, so this support helped us begin rebuilding our lives,” Imtiaz Bibi shared.
The construction of a new house was made possible through the University of Lahore (UOL), which invested PKR 200,000 (approx. USD 720). Although the house has been rebuilt, the family has not yet moved in due to extreme cold weather and the unavailability of water. Currently, they are temporarily living in their shop, which they vacated for this purpose.
Since receiving assistance, their living conditions have significantly improved. The new house, financial support, and food rations have greatly reduced their hardships and enhanced their overall well-being.
Despite ongoing uncertainty, Imtiaz Bibi remains hopeful. Her story reflects the resilience of women who, even after losing everything, continue to prioritise their children’s education and work steadily towards recovery. The children have resumed attending school, which is within walking distance of their relatives’ house. During the floods, the school was submerged, and the children were unable to attend classes for two months. Once the water receded, the school reopened and classes resumed.
Imtiaz Bibi’s path to recovery involves continued financial support, access to basic necessities such as food rations, and having a stable home. These things are essential to improving her living conditions and reducing hardships. Although it is not yet clear whether the damaged land can be fully restored, agriculture remains their main source of income, so they plan to try again. When the next agricultural season arrives, they intend to resume crop cultivation and replant their fruit orchards.
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