Stories of Hope and Resilience from Pakistan's Flood Response

During the 2022 floods, Khairpur Nathan Shah (KN Shah) in Sindh was one of the hardest-hit districts, with water levels reaching almost 10 feet. Shazia, a young mother from Union Council Gozo, KN Shah, recalls the harrowing experience of evacuating her home at night. "It is nothing short of a miracle that we were able to live through those horrific rains," she recounts.

Married at an early age and divorced after her daughter's birth, Shazia returned to her maternal home. To support her family, she ran a small shop from a trunk in her home. However, the floods destroyed her shop, and the family spent all their savings on food and medical treatment while living in makeshift shelters. "We had no money left when we headed back home," she explains.

The floods worsened existing inequalities, particularly for women like Shazia who were already struggling. "I earned the bare minimum, but I had to do something for my daughter. We relied on volunteers and civil society organizations for relief items," says Shazia.

Oxfam Pakistan and the Management Development Program provided small business grants worth PKR 40,000 (almost £112). Shazia used her grant to repair her shop and purchase supplies. "The floods have made me more willing to take action for my family," she notes. With increased earnings, Shazia can now invest in her daughter's education. "I never went to school, but I do the calculations for my shop on my own. I don't have to depend on anyone," Shazia proudly states.

In the small village of Altaf Ahmed Bhurgari in Mirpurkhas, Sindh, women's colorful dresses contrast beautifully against the dry, dusty plains. Despite their vibrant attire, their lives are fraught with multiple burdens of fieldwork, housework, and childcare duties. When the 2022 floods hit, their lives were further strained by economic pressures and the loss of assets. The community of this village is also Hindu, a religious minority in Pakistan, facing distinct social and cultural barriers.

Parwati, a young woman in this village, experienced the devastating impact of the floods firsthand. Her family lost their primary asset—their goats—during the floods. These goats were not only a source of income but also a crucial part of their daily sustenance. "Our goats were everything to us. Losing them meant losing our livelihood and food security," Parwati explains.

After returning from displacement camps, recovering their lost assets seemed nearly impossible due to their weakened financial standing. This was when her family was assessed for a livestock grant by the Advocacy, Research, Training & Services (ARTS) Foundation, a Women’s Rights Organization and one of Oxfam’s partners in the 2022 Flood Response.

With the grant, Parwati's family was able to purchase new goats, which have been instrumental in helping them resettle. "The children can drink milk easily, and we are happy to look after our goats again, an activity that all of us women did before the floods," says Parwati. The return of their livestock has not only restored their source of income but also brought a sense of normalcy and stability back into their lives.