Experts have raised concerns over the lack of preparedness and lessons learned from the 2022 devastating floods in Pakistan, which claimed the lives of 1,737 people. The country is once again grappling with heavy rainfall, affecting areas that were severely impacted by floods two years ago.
According to the charity Save the Children, more than 150 children have lost their lives due to floods and heavy rains since the onset of the monsoon season. Children account for over half of the 300 people who have been killed by the recent rains. Additionally, around 200 children have been injured, and thousands of individuals have been displaced.
The charity highlighted the dire situation in Sanghar, a district in Sindh province, where floods have destroyed 80% of cotton crops, impacting farmers who rely on this as their primary source of income. Save the Children is providing support to those affected, including setting up relief camps and assisting with essential needs.
Khuram Gondal, the country director for Save the Children in Pakistan, emphasized the vulnerability of children in disasters, noting that more than 72,000 children in Sindh province have had their education disrupted by the floods.
Islamic Relief, another aid organization, echoed concerns about the ongoing suffering of communities affected by the recent floods. Asif Sherazi, the group's country director, stated that they are actively reaching out to provide assistance to those in need.
Despite the repeated disasters, Pakistan has yet to undertake significant reconstruction efforts, with many communities still struggling to rebuild their lives after the 2022 floods. The lack of proper infrastructure and adherence to construction laws has exacerbated the situation, with many individuals building homes in high-risk areas along riverbanks.
Experts warn that Pakistan remains ill-prepared to handle another catastrophe on the scale of the 2022 floods. With climate change exacerbating weather patterns, the risk of further damage to lives and livelihoods looms large unless proactive measures are taken to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
