Married at the age of 17, Lakshmi assumed the weight of household responsibilities early in life. With her husband, Laalu, working as a labourer in the city to support the family, Lakshmi remained the steady anchor at home. Together, they raised four young children, three sons and a daughter, all between the ages of five and ten. Despite limited resources and daily challenges, Lakshmi nurtured a modest but fulfilling life, grounded in resilience and the warmth of her family.
Five years ago, Lakshmi’s world was turned upside down when her husband, Laalu, tragically passed away after a snake bite. Fate did not give her a chance to fully grieve the loss of her partner. Overnight, she became the sole caregiver and breadwinner for their young children, forced to navigate an uncertain and demanding future entirely on her own.
Now 32, Lakshmi continues to shoulder the full responsibility of raising her family. To survive, she and her children work together as labourers in fields of Village Lakho Kolhi, striving each day to meet their most basic needs.
In 2021, driven by quiet determination, Lakshmi took a bold step to improve her family’s future by breeding two goats, establishing a modest but stable source of income. It was a turning point that promised a path toward self-reliance. However, less than a year later, the catastrophic floods of 2022 swept across Pakistan, displacing thousands and claiming countless lives and livestock.
Lachmi’s village, Lakho Kolhi in Umerkot, was among the hardest hit. The deluge reduced homes to rubble and left the community submerged in devastation, erasing what little security they had built. Lakshmi and her family lost their most treasured possession, their home, and faced a heartbreaking reality. The destruction was so extensive that rebuilding was impossible. With no other option, they were forced to flee and start over, carrying with them only resilience and the will to endure.
With nowhere to go, Lachmi and her children found themselves in her brother-in-law’s house, who himself had relocated to village Anwar Pathan with his family in search of safer grounds. In a time when everyone around them was grappling with uncertainty and hardship, his support was both rare and deeply meaningful. Within that borrowed shelter, Lakshmi tried to rebuild a sense of home for her children, even as daily survival weighed heavily on her mind. The question of how to feed her family was a constant worry, one that echoed the broader struggle shared by countless families, especially single mothers, facing the aftermath of displacement.
Living in someone else’s home brought a host of challenges for Lachmi, from compromised dignity to concerns over safety and protection. She endured mistreatment and a lack of respect from the household members, all while carrying the weight of worry for her children’s well-being.
In the aftermath of the devastating floods, Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in partnership with Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) and the Canadian Food grains Bank (CFGB), launched a Cash for Food initiative aimed at restoring dignity and choice to families like Lakshmi’s. The program provided unconditional cash assistance of PKR 20,000 per month for three months, March, May, and June 2025, empowering flood-affected households to address their food security based on their specific needs.
With the first installment, Lachmi prioritised her family’s stability. She spent PKR 10,000 (USD 35) to buy wheat flour, to ensure a reliable supply of food in the weeks ahead. Another PKR 6,000 (USD 21) went toward repaying a debt she had incurred just to feed her children, a financial weight she had long carried. The remaining PKR 4,000 ( USD 14), was carefully allocated to purchasing sugar, rice, and vegetables, allowing her to provide balanced nutrition with renewed peace of mind. In a move that reflected both vision and resilience, Lakshmi used the second installment to purchase two young goats, an investment in future sustainability. As the goats grow, she plans to sell their milk locally, establishing a modest yet dependable source of income for her household..
With the third and final cash installment, Lakshmi embraced a moment of joy amidst hardship. She lovingly chose new clothes for her children, spending nearly PKR 5,000 ( USD 18) on new clothes for them to bring smiles and a sense of normalcy to their lives. The remaining PKR 15,000 (USD 53) was set aside to secure their food supply, a deliberate decision rooted in maternal foresight. “Even if we have nothing else,” Lakshmi shared, “we should have wheat in the cabinets, so we never go to bed hungry.”
Lachmi has courageously shared her journey with others, inspiring many through her resilience and determination. “Now we’re finding new ways to support our families,” she said. “Many women in our village have stepped up to help, especially after losing their livelihoods.”
Part of the funds also went toward purchasing medicine for her seven-year-old Gulji, who lives with epilepsy. Reflecting on how she used the assistance, Lachmi said, “The aid is temporary, and the money is meant to end someday. To truly benefit from it, I had to invest it with purpose.”
As climate extremes intensify across Pakistan, vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and environmental degradation. This short video captures firsthand reflections from local residents and civil society on how climate change is reshaping their lives, livelihoods, and landscapes. Produced by Community World Service Asia & Leigh Larson, Week of Compassion, the film amplifies voices from the frontlines, calling for urgent, inclusive action to build resilience and protect those most at risk.
Nestled in the sun-scorched plains of Thar, the modest home of Dhuri stands as a testament to resilience and familial devotion. Within its humble walls, Dhuri, her husband Mangal, and their three children weave a life rich with love and mutual support. Yet, the unforgiving climate casts a shadow over their days, bringing extreme environmental challenges that severely limit their opportunities for sustenance. With resources scarce, Dhuri and Mangal take turns toiling as daily wage crop farmers.
Dhuri was chosen as a participant in a transformative humanitarian initiative spearheaded by Community World Service Asia and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), where she received a comprehensive package of support designed to uplift her family’s prospects. This assistance encompassed cash grants, a hydroponic kit, premium seeds for crop cultivation, nourishing animal fodder for her livestock, and most crucially, expert training to nurture and sustain these vital resources with confidence and skill.
Dhuri, along with a group of women selected under the project, learned a useful new skill through their training: crafting mineral blocks to nourish their cows.
These hand-shaped treats, made with a simple blend of water, salt, jaggery, cement, urea, and wheat chaff, quickly became a favourite among the cows, who eagerly lap them up without hesitation.
Since applying this knowledge, Dhuri has felt a remarkable difference in caring for her cattle. She lovingly creates what she affectionately calls “Sheera blocks,” designed to boost her livestock’s gastrointestinal health.
Dhuri reflects that, before this experience, she had never encountered any training or practice that brought such valuable awareness. Yet, since applying these new insights, she has observed a noticeable and heartening change in her daily efforts. “The cattle used to have many gut problems before, but now we don’t see any of them”, Dhuri recalls. “There is actually substantial improvement. They produce more milk, and it’s much cleaner too”.
Dhuri feels happy about the minimal effort and cost it requires to make the mineral blocks. She says that, as beneficial as they are, they are extremely economical. As a dedicated sharecropper, Dhuriwas overjoyed to harvest PKR 70,000(246 USD) from her cultivated fields, a clear sign of the support’s meaningful impact.
Dhuri’s children are her world. Unlike many parents who pull their children, especially daughters, out of school to ease the family’s workload, Dhuri stands firm with a heartfelt promise. “We’ve decided not to weigh our children down with life’s tough duties just yet. This age is for going to school and we want them to focus on that alone. When the moment is right, they’ll step into their roles with confidence.”
Going forward, Dhuri stated that she did not take this assistance for granted. “We are grateful for all the resources and wisdom shared with us,” she said with heartfelt gratitude. “We’re committed to proving we’re putting it to good use and showing the world how well we have honoured this generous help.”
Pakistan is currently experiencing intensified monsoon rainfall, consistent with forecasts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and alerts issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Since late June, above-normal precipitation has impacted Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and displacement.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, temperatures have reached an unprecedented 48.5°C, accelerating glacial melt across the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram ranges. This has significantly heightened the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), particularly in historically stable regions like Shakyote, where agricultural lands and homes have been swept away.
Sindh, in southern Pakistan, is currently experiencing a moderate to high-risk period, with urban flooding impacting major cities and a continued threat of rural flooding. While rainfall in Sindh has not been as intense as in Punjab or KPK, the province remains highly vulnerable due to poor drainage and overstretched infrastructure. Additionally, heavy rains in northern and central Pakistan can increase flood risks in Sindh through rising river levels, hill torrents, snowmelt, and GLOF events, even if Sindh itself receives only light rainfall. Local authorities have issued advisories to all relevant stakeholders to ensure preparedness.
Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur
Balochistan
Lasbela, Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Sibi, Naseerabad
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Swat, Chitral, Dir, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Dera Ismail Khan
Gilgit-Baltistan & AJK
Hunza, Ghizer, Skardu, Muzaffarabad, Bagh
Urban Centers
Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta
Humanitarian Impact (as of July 16, 2025)
124 fatalities reported across five provinces
264 injuries, primarily due to collapsed structures
522 homes damaged, 126 livestock lost, and multiple roads and bridges destroyed
Thousands displaced, particularly in mountainous and flood-prone zones
Heightened vulnerability among women, children, and marginalised groups
Escalating Risks
Urban Flooding in major cities due to poor drainage
Flash Floods & Landslides in KPK, Punjab, GB, and Balochistan
Rural Inundation threatening food security in Sindh and southern Punjab
Waterborne Disease Outbreaks (cholera, malaria, dengue) due to stagnant water
Protection Concerns for displaced women, girls, and vulnerable communities
Recurring Disaster Zones still recovering from the 2022 super floods
Gendered & Inclusive Impact
Women, girls, and marginalised groups face disproportionate risks due to pre-existing inequalities. Displacement has disrupted access to maternal healthcare, education, and safe shelter. Overcrowded conditions and lack of gender-sensitive facilities increase exposure to gender-based violence and exploitation. Persons with disabilities, the elderly, and ethnic minorities face additional barriers to accessing relief.
Anticipated Needs
Emergency Shelter & Non-Food Items (NFIs)
WASH support (clean water, hygiene kits, sanitation)
Health services via mobile/static units
Food assistance (cash or in-kind)
Livelihood recovery for farmers and labourers
Protection services for vulnerable populations
CWSA Preparedness and Response
Community World Service Asia is actively coordinating with NDMA, PDMAs, and local partners to monitor the evolving crisis. Our response prioritises:
Gender-responsive programming across all sectors
Mobile health units for emergency care and psychosocial support
Protection-focused spaces for women and children
Emergency shelter and NFIs for displaced families
Cash-for-food assistance and in-kind distributions
Humanitarian Quality & Accountability mechanisms to ensure dignity and community engagement
Our multidisciplinary teams are ready to deploy in active field areas, with flexibility to expand operations as needed. CWSA will initiate its emergency operations in regions where we maintain an active presence and will scale up as needed, ensuring that our response is coordinated, adaptive, and rooted in local partnerships.
Rapid Response Fund Appeal
To enable swift, life-saving assistance, CWSA is establishing a Rapid Response Fund (RRF). We call on our partners to support this fund and strengthen our collective ability to respond efficiently and equitably, within 24 hours of the emergency. Together, we can act before the storm becomes catastrophe.
The 2025 monsoon and GLOF crisis underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient, people-centered humanitarian strategies. Without inclusive and sustained efforts, future disasters will continue to deepen inequalities and reverse development gains. CWSA remains committed to protecting lives, restoring dignity, and building resilience across Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
We are pleased to launch “QAS in Action: A Smart Guide for Aid Actors”: This Guide aims to support a holistic and contextualised application of Quality, Accountability, and Safeguarding (QAS) from a people-centered perspective, rather than organisational.
The ‘QAS in Action’ Smart Guide is designed for anyone dedicated to supporting communities’ life with dignity in a transparent and safe manner. It will benefit specifically aid actors working locally, in communities’ living areas.
Pakistan is confronting the onset of yet another large-scale climate disaster, as intensified monsoon rains and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) pose an escalating threat to millions across the country. As of June 29, at least 31 people have lost their lives in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), with flash floods in Swat Valley alone accounting for 11 fatalities, including several children. Search operations are underway to locate missing individuals, underscoring the immediate human cost of the worsening weather conditions.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast severe rainfall and flooding between June 29 and July 5, with alerts covering northeast Punjab, Kashmir, the Potohar plateau, Islamabad, and urban centers in southern Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, and Thatta. Northern regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, and Chitral remain at particular risk of GLOFs, landslides, and community isolation due to damaged roads and power outages.
Escalating Climate Risks
Pakistan’s 2025 monsoon season is projected to be particularly aggressive, bringing heightened risks of riverine and urban flooding, flash floods, and GLOFs. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of above-normal rainfall and temperature patterns, an extension of this year’s erratic spring marked by dust storms, hail, and thunderstorms.
With over 13,000 glaciers, many rapidly melting due to global warming, Pakistan’s mountainous north is especially vulnerable to GLOFs. The collapse of unstable moraines (natural ice-and-debris dams) can release torrents of water, mud, and rock, with devastating consequences for downstream communities.
Due to rising temperatures, glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges (the Hindu Kush, Himalayas and Karakorum) are melting rapidly and a total of 3,044 glacial lakes have developed in GilgitBaltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Of these, 33 glacial lakes have been assessed to be prone to hazardous glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF). This can lead to flash floods, threatening lives, livestock, agriculture, and infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Over 7.1 million people in GB and KPK provinces are likely to be affected: in these areas, 26.7 percent and 22 percent of the population, respectively, are below the poverty line.
GLOF are sudden events which can release millions of cubic metres of water and debris, leading to the loss of lives, property & livelihoods among affected communities.
NDMA has mapped GLOF sites in Pakistan with constant monitoring through satellite imagery and data from relevant line departments. Some of the vulnerable Glacier lakes include: Khurdopin Glacier, Badswat Glacier, Shisper Glacier, Chilinji Glacier, Ghulkin Glacier, Darkut Glacier, Reshun Glacier, etc.
NDMA’s latest Situation Analysis (June 29) highlights that more than 3,000 glacial lakes exist in the region, with 36 identified as vulnerable and 4–5 assessed as being at immediate risk of bursting in 2025. These unfolding events reflect not just a meteorological crisis but also a profound climate injustice: Pakistan remains among the countries most affected by climate change while contributing minimally to global emissions.
Widespread Impacts and Growing Vulnerabilities
Riverine Flooding: Swelling rivers such as the Swat, Kabul, and Chenab threaten to overflow, endangering settlements along their banks.
Urban and Flash Flooding: Major cities lack adequate drainage systems, increasing the risk of localized inundation and economic disruption.
Infrastructure Damage: Echoing the devastation of 2022, critical infrastructure, homes, roads, bridges, schools, faces renewed threat.
Health Risks: Stagnant water and displacement contribute to rising cases of cholera, dengue, malaria, and respiratory infections.
Displacement and Socioeconomic Stress: Displacement could climb into the millions, exacerbating inflation, poverty, and mental health strain.
Anticipated Humanitarian Needs
Given the high risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in several vulnerable regions, the need for timely and lifesaving emergency interventions is critical. These sudden and destructive floods can lead to loss of life, displacement, and severe damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, especially impacting women, children, and the elderly. Immediate response efforts, including access to healthcare, safe shelter, food, and essential non-food items, are essential to reduce suffering and protect the well-being of affected communities.
As the emergency unfolds, a multi-sector response will be vital. Expected needs include:
Emergency Shelter & Non-Food Items: Tents, tarpaulins, bedding, kitchen sets, and lighting for displaced households.
Food Security & Livelihoods: Ready-to-eat meals, dry rations, and livelihood rehabilitation for flood-affected communities.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Access to safe drinking water, hygiene kits, mobile toilets, and water purification supplies.
Health & Nutrition: Mobile medical units, essential medicines, maternal care, treatment of communicable diseases, and nutrition screening.
Protection Services: Safe spaces for women and children, GBV case management, psychosocial support, and referral systems.
Education in Emergencies: Temporary learning spaces, school supplies, and catch-up support for affected students.
Logistics & Access: Transportation of relief goods, access to remote communities, and coordination support.
Heightened Vulnerabilities Among Women and Children
Women and children in Pakistan face disproportionate risks during flood emergencies due to pre-existing inequalities, limited access to services, and heightened protection concerns. Displacement often disrupts access to maternal healthcare, education, and safe shelter, leaving women, particularly those who are pregnant or lactating, without essential medical support.
In 2022, over 1.6 million women of childbearing age were affected by floods, with many lacking access to reproductive health services. Children, especially girls, are frequently forced out of school, with some never returning to formal education. The destruction of schools and healthcare facilities, combined with overcrowded shelters lacking privacy and sanitation, increases the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and mental health challenges.
Malnutrition and disease further compound these vulnerabilities. UNICEF reported that more than 1 in 9 children in flood-affected areas were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with over 2 million children in need of urgent treatment. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and food insecurity exacerbate health risks, particularly for children under five and pregnant women. The lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure in relief camps, such as separate latrines, menstrual hygiene supplies, and safe spaces, leaves women and girls exposed to exploitation and trauma. These intersecting risks underscore the urgent need for a gender-responsive humanitarian response that prioritises protection, health, education, and dignity for women and children.
CWSA Preparedness and Response
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is actively coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and local stakeholders to monitor the rapidly evolving situation. As part of our preparedness strategy, we are prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls, children and the elderly, who face heightened risks during disasters due to systemic inequalities and limited access to services.
In recognition of these vulnerabilities, CWSA’s flood response plan incorporates gender-responsive programming across all sectors. This includes ensuring safe access to maternal and reproductive healthcare, the distribution of gender-sensitive hygiene kits, and the establishment of protection-focused spaces for women and children. Our mobile health and protection teams are being prepared to provide psychosocial support and referral services, especially in displacement settings where the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and child marriage tends to rise.
Community World Service Asia will launch immediate humanitarian operations in regions where it has an active field presence, with the flexibility to expand as the situation evolves. Grounded in strong local partnerships, the response will be coordinated, adaptive, and people-centered. Priority areas of intervention include:
Delivery of essential Health services through Mobile Health Units
Provision of Emergency shelter to displaced families
Distribution of critical Non-food items (NFIs)
Food assistance through in-kind packages or Cash-for-food modalities
Reinforcement of humanitarian Quality and Accountability mechanisms to ensure dignity and community engagement throughout the response
Rapid Response Fund Appeal
To facilitate immediate, life-saving humanitarian assistance, Community World Service Asia is activating a Rapid Response Fund (RRF). We urge our partners to contribute to this critical mechanism, designed to ensure a swift, coordinated response within the first 24 hours of a crisis.
Our multidisciplinary response team, comprised of trained professionals in emergency health, shelter, food security, protection, and logistics, is prepared to deploy rapidly to crisis-affected areas. With your support, the RRF will strengthen our collective ability to deliver timely, dignified, and effective aid where it’s needed most.
Contacts:
Shama Mall Deputy Regional Director Programs & Organisational Development Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
Palwashay Arbab Head of Communication Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
References
NDMA June 29 Report
The News- https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1325476-ndma-issues-fresh-alert-for-heavy-rains-in-parts-of-country
World Bank Report – https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/10/28/pakistan-flood-damages-and-economic-losses-over-usd-30-billion-and-reconstruction-needs-over-usd-16-billion-new-assessme
Govt. of Pakistan – https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_23/Annex_III_Pakistan_Floods_2022.pdf
Humanitarian and development organisations must handle sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment complaints professionally, but they often struggle with understanding complaint protocols and structured investigation processes. The online learning series aims to teach staff about complaints management and investigations, providing clarity on roles, confidentiality, legal risks, and survivor protection, without requiring certification as investigators.
Who Are We?
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is a humanitarian and development organisation and a member of Sphere and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Alliance. We are also the Regional Focal Point for the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction Network’s (ADRRN) Quality & Accountability Hub, Sphere Country Focal Point in Pakistan and the Regional Partner in Asia for Sphere. CWSA is highly committed towards Accountability to Affected People and People Centered Aid. We have offered different webinars and learning series over the last years to raise more awareness on overall accountability as well as its key aspects such as establishing efficient and transparent complaints/feedback systems and protection from and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Who Should Apply?
This learning series is ideal for professionals from
NGOs,
INGOs
Who are directly responsible for, or closely engaged in:
Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms
Safeguarding and PSEA initiatives
Accountability, Compliance, and Risk Management
Internal Audits and HR Oversight
Target roles include:
Senior Management
Safeguarding & Complaints Focal Persons
Safeguarding Committee Members
Compliance & Investigation Leads
MEAL Managers
Internal Auditors
HR Managers
Trainer
Ester Dross Quality Assurance, Compliance and Investigations Specialist
Ester brings over 30 years of experience in the humanitarian sector. She has led sensitive investigations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and worked extensively on preventing and addressing SEAH. Ester has developed global training content and policies for INGOs and regularly advises organisations on safeguarding strategies and accountability systems.
Learning Outcomes
Session 1:
Understanding Complaints Assessment and Investigations – (21 July 2025) – 2.5 Hours
Review key safeguarding policies and terminology
Understand complaint intake and assessment
Distinguish between preliminary and full investigations
Introduction to investigation steps and principles
Until late 2021, then thirty-years-old Bilquis was a homemaker raising three children in the village of Sohaib Saand. Her husband works as a guard for a private school, which is approximately 5 kilometres from their home. Although a college graduate, she had been so occupied with raising her family that she believed she would never have the chance to pursue her true aspiration — becoming a school teacher. She recalls her own struggles in gaining an education, as the Saand community she belongs to continues to begrudgingly permit education for girls.
“I had to attend a school in Kunri town, and when people did not see me for a few days, they would claim I had run away from home,” says Bilquis. Fortunately, her family supported her, and she eventually completed college. Because of the challenges she had faced, she was determined to become a teacher in a girls’ school.
The lower secondary school (up to grade eight) in Sohaib Saand village was established in 1994. At that time, it offered classes only up to grade five, and even then, attendance was irregular. The dozen or so enrolled girls were rarely seen in class. Bilquis explains that mothers preferred to keep their daughters at home to help with household chores, rather than spend their limited resources on items like copybooks, pencils, and erasers. Furthermore, many parents questioned the point of educating daughters who would eventually marry and leave the family.
In 2021, with support from Act for Peace (AFP), Community World Service Asia (CWSA) hired Bilquis as a teacher at the girls’ school. Even before her official appointment, she had been urging mothers in her community to send their daughters to school. Now, with formal support, she became even more assertive in her campaign. She went door to door, reassuring parents that, in addition to the three male teachers, she was present at the school to support and protect their daughters.
Despite her efforts, challenges remained. Some mothers were so irritated by her persistence that they even threatened to physically assault her. But Bilquis’s crusading spirit was undeterred, and she refused to back down.
The initiative in District Umerkot aims to enhance access to quality, inclusive, and child-friendly education for marginalised children. The project is being implemented in close coordination with the District Education Department, Umerkot.
CWSA and AFP are directly supporting 4,000 students enrolled in 25 remote government primary schools located across three Union Councils — Kaplore, Sekhor, and Faqeer Abdullah. The intervention focuses on improving learning outcomes and student retention by strengthening school environments, promoting community engagement, and enhancing teacher capacity. A total of 15 locally qualified teachers — including 3 women and 12 men — have been hired to implement this initiative.
And so, from just twelve girls on the school rolls who rarely attended, Bilquis successfully managed to enrol ninety girl pupils. Of these, she reports that no fewer than seventy-five now attend regularly. With no other educated woman in the village to share the responsibility, it fell upon Bilquis to teach at both the Sohaib Saand school and the one in the neighbouring village of Haji Mian Hasan Shah. She divides her time equally between the two, spending a fortnight at each school. She proudly reports that in the latter school too — from zero — she now has ninety enrolled girl students.
The total enrolment at the schools where Bilquis teaches has reached 220 students, comprising 100 girls and 120 boys.
Bilquis recounts the story of Qamarunisa, a girl from the village of Hasan Shah, whose family forced her to discontinue her education after completing Grade Five. Being from the Syed community, they claimed that their daughters should observe seclusion upon reaching puberty. But Qamarunisa was determined to finish college and eventually join the army, inspired by the many young women she knew who were proudly serving in uniform.
Moved by the girl’s passion, Bilquis intervened. She pleaded with the family, assuring them that she would personally supervise Qamarunisa throughout her education. Her advocacy bore fruit — not only was Qamarunisa allowed to continue, but her cousin Isra was also enrolled. As of 2025, both girls are in Grade Seven and remain steadfast in their ambition to join the military.
These may be just two examples, but there are many other girls who also aspire to join the armed forces. In addition, there are those who dream of becoming teachers, doctors, and lawyers.
As the CWSA project approached its conclusion, there was a real risk that Bilquis would lose her position. Anticipating this outcome, CWSA had already formed a five-member advocacy group to ensure continuity. Comprising two women and three men — all influential and resourceful individuals — the group serves as a liaison between the NGO and government departments. Independently, the group also raises the necessary funds to pay Bilquis’s honorarium, ensuring that both her role and the education of the girls remain secure.
Both schools are now in the process of being upgraded — a direct result of the efforts of the advocacy group, which organised official visits to both institutions. The decision to upgrade was made in view of the growing number of pupils enrolled. As a result, the under-construction section of the Sohaib Saand school will expand from three to nine classrooms, while the Hasan Shah school will have a total of sixteen classrooms. This development will lead to the recruitment of additional teachers and the creation of a more conducive learning environment.
To enhance the teaching capabilities of schoolteachers, training sessions were conducted on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), Positive Learning Environment (PLE) strategies, and multi-grade teaching methodologies.
Bilquis shares that the training she received in ECCE, PLE, and multi-grade teaching has been immensely helpful. “My students no longer want to leave school when the day ends — and that is largely thanks to the kit (these kits include learning materials for students, such as flashcards, various alphabet puzzles, building blocks, charts, and stationery items) we received as part of the ECCE training. It makes learning so easy and enjoyable for the children,” she says.
When asked about her greatest success, Bilquis does not hesitate. Three years ago, her daughter — now in Grade Nine — had expressed a desire to transfer to a better school. However, Bilquis and her husband, who earns a modest income, simply could not afford the higher fees. Thanks to her own earnings from this programme — which provides participants with a monthly stipend of PKR 20,000 — they were finally able to make the switch.
But Bilquis considers something else even more significant: girls in the village, who previously dropped out after Grade Five, are now continuing their education.
The very mothers who once threatened to beat her now express their gratitude. They are glad they allowed their daughters to remain in school, as these girls can now read labels on products, check whether medicines are expired, and even navigate mobile phone screens — simple skills that have brought real change. Rather than making costly phone calls, mothers can now ask their daughters to send a text message, saving both time and money. These unlettered mothers feel empowered by the presence of educated daughters in their households.
As part of our integrated DRR and WASH project in Umerkot, newly constructed water supply schemes were officially inaugurated and handed over to local communities in partnership with government line departments. This symbolic and practical milestone not only marks the successful completion of the project but also ensures community ownership, long-term sustainability, and strengthened collaboration with local authorities.
Building Resilience Restoring Lives:
In 2024, Community World Service Asia, with support from CWSA Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, successfully implemented an integrated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project in the flood-affected villages of District Umerkot, Sindh.
This initiative empowered vulnerable farming communities to bounce back stronger from recurring floods by improving agricultural practices, restoring safe water access, and enhancing community preparedness. By combining climate-resilient farming techniques with essential WASH services, the project strengthened both livelihoods and long-term resilience across disaster-prone communities.
Empowering Communities Sustaining Futures
A major component of the initiative involved constructing over 6 kilometres of lined water channels, along with 12 strategically located water reservoirs. These infrastructure developments aim to optimise water conservation and management—crucial for sustaining agriculture in this arid and flood-prone region.
Harnessing Water, Harvesting Prosperity
As a result, more land is now under irrigation, increasing agricultural productivity by up to 60%, which contributes to boosting local food production and economic stability.
The project also supported the establishment of communal nurseries, which have been supplied with agricultural inputs. The seedlings produced are distributed among community members to develop their own kitchen gardens, contributing to household-level food security and improved dietary diversity.
As a result, households are now more self-reliant in meeting their food needs while also improving their nutritional intake.
The ceremony underscored the community-driven nature of the project, with government representatives highlighting the importance of such initiatives in addressing critical regional challenges, including climate change and water scarcity.
Upon the successful completion of the project, the constructed schemes were officially handed over to the communities in the presence of relevant government departments, ensuring their sustainability and operational effectiveness.
Climate-Ready Communities
Community World Service Asia acknowledged the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders—including the government, its partners, and the community—and reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and promoting community-led development.
Mahli ji Bhit is a village situated approximately ten kilometres north of Kunri town in Umerkot district, predominantly inhabited by members of the Rind tribe of Baloch origin. Among the many families residing there are Babu and his wife, Lali, whose energy and eagerness to share their story are immediately evident. While their rapid manner of speaking may pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with the Sindhi language, their lived experiences tell a powerful story of resilience.
The couple has eight children—five sons and three daughters. Despite their economic challenges, Lali shares that having more sons is often viewed as a sign of wealth within their community.
Babu and Lali work as sharecroppers on five acres of land, along with two of their sons. In 2022, while much of Sindh was devastated by widespread flooding, the family’s crops—guar beans, millets, and mung—thrived in the Thar Desert. When the harvest was assessed in November, their share of the yield helped offset the recent loss of their only goat, which had died due to illness. The family was even able to purchase two goats to ensure a steady supply of milk.
This was rare prosperity, and having lifted a loan of PKR 45,000 (approx. USD 161) from their landlord, they wedded off their elder daughter in the hope that a good wheat harvest in March would help them repay. However, because of the landlord’s demand, they soon had to sell both newly-acquired goats to repay the debt. Babu and Lali recount that for a full year they were without a goat and had only black tea. Sometimes, if there were ten or twenty rupees to spare, they would purchase some milk for the luxury of milk tea. But that meagre amount paid for only a cup and a half of milk that could but slightly colour their tea.
If they were dreaming of having a goat in 2023, their hopes were dashed because they could not rent a tractor for ploughing in good time. Inevitably, late sowing made for a poorer harvest and they just about recovered their expense. They were fortunate to have one son working as a salesman in a store in Kunri who brought home PKR 12,000 (approx. USD 43) every month. This was, however, scarcely enough to feed ten people.
Once again anticipating a good harvest, Babu and Lali wedded their eldest son in the summer of 2024. Once again the wedding was on borrowed money and they were barely able to repay their landlord at harvest time. Their struggle persisted until they received the first instalment of CWSA’s Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), amounting to PKR 17,000 (approx USD 61). This timely support offered much-needed relief, particularly as the forty kilograms of millets they had retained after repaying their loan to the landlord lasted only two weeks. The cash assistance formed part of the ongoing project titled “Strengthening the Livelihoods and Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Communities in Rural Sindh – Phase 2,” implemented in Umerkot District, specifically in the Union Councils of Faqeer Abdullah and Sekharo. Supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), the project aims to enhance the resilience of climate-affected rural farming communities by improving food security, livelihood opportunities, and community organisation in the face of natural calamities. A total of 460 households—216 men and 244 women—are being supported through five rounds of MPCA. The first and second tranches were disbursed in October and November 2024, with the remaining three planned for April, May, and June 2025, coinciding with the region’s lean agricultural periods.
A goat and the second round of the cash grant made life a little easier. It looked positively rosy when the goat bore a male kid. There was now half a litre of milk in the mornings for tea and an equal amount in the evenings that was used partly for tea and partly for the children. One wonders how many cups could ten persons have from half a litre of milk and yet be able to spare some for the children. But when one has spent a lifetime of such severity as this family, even a sip or two of milk is a luxury.
By the time these lines are read, Babu and Lali would have used up their third round of PKR 17,000 to purchase some food. As the cold weather fades into summer, they will hope they get the tractor in time for the ploughing and that the rains too keep a favourable schedule. If the harvest is good in November 2025, they will sell the kid they have in their courtyard, then hopefully, a healthy yearling. Altogether, they might be able to wed away another daughter without going under debt.
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