Severe flooding in Pakistan has affected 33 million people and caused well over 1,000 deaths, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. More than a quarter of a million people are in shelters, one-third of the country is under water, and damaged infrastructure is hampering aid and rescue operations. Some experts say the flood water could remain for months and crops fail for up to two years.
Evangelicals Now has been granted an exclusive interview with Juliet Chowdhry of the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), an advocacy and community relations organisation now actively involved in the relief work.
How badly have churches and Christian communities been affected by the flooding?
Generally, Christians in Pakistan live near Nalas (open canals for storm water and sanitary drainage) because land is cheaper there. This means that Christians will inevitably be disproportionately affected by any heavy rainfall.
Thirty-three thousand Christians live in Quetta, in north west Pakistan, most of them in poor villages in mud homes. Many lost both their homes and their livelihoods. Churches and schools closed and many bridges were destroyed, disconnecting people from work, families and support.
Have any been able to help their neighbours in some ways?
Churches across Pakistan have been collecting food and blankets for those who are in need – irrespective of the faith of the victims. Most of the help in the cities and the towns is focusing on the needs of those suffering around them and, much like government responses, this effort is focused in and around the cities.
How effective do you think the response of the government has been?
The size and scale of this catastrophe is beyond all previous precedents and expectations. The government cannot cope with a normal monsoon, so of course this is beyond them. I don’t think any Western nation could cope with this scale of flooding either.
But this is not to excuse the government. Despite previous major deluges, nothing has been done to improve the existing dam structure. It has also failed to work with India to co-ordinate releases of its dam water, so as to reduce the impact in Pakistan.
Do you have any examples of where churches are working together with the authorities and/or NGOs to bring relief?
Church responses have been local and isolated. The government is still warning people not to travel far, and the floods are still raging in parts of the country. Several areas have been listed as disaster-struck areas.
What more would churches like to see happening now?
Pakistan needs a sea-change, with the authorities creating safer, stronger homes, facilities and infrastructure for the poorest. The government also needs to invest in far more flood warnings, responses and dam infrastructure.
What is the BACA doing to help?
Sixty families in Sindh have received grocery supplies for two weeks. Our food programme will run for a few months.
We hope soon to provide tents and other supplies such as food and cooking utensils. We also hope to set up a medical facility to counter spreading dysentery and other water-related infections such as malaria, cholera, and dengue fever.
We are installing a clean water pump, toilet and shower facility at Goth Ibrahim Khan Village, Sindh. This will help prevent waterborne infections and prevent further rapes and murders of young Christian girls in the area. If we can raise the £15,000 needed we will build brick homes to replace five families’ mud homes that were washed away.
Footnote
In May this year the Charity Commission ended an investigation into British Pakistani Christians Ltd (BPCA) which operates as BACA (see above). It said: ‘I am pleased that our firm action in this case has resulted in clear improvements in the charity’s approach to safeguarding. We now expect the trustees to address outstanding issues, and ensure the charity’s governance improves into the future.’
