In a compelling online webinar held on Tuesday, humanitarian workers and human rights advocates called upon the Sindh provincial government to officially declare severely rain-affected districts as “calamity-hit” areas. This crucial step would pave the way for much-needed local and international aid to reach the affected populations.
The Knowledge Forum, a prominent think tank, organized the webinar titled “Situation Analysis of Monsoon Rains in Sindh 2024.” Participants highlighted the dire situation in over 13 districts of Sindh that have been devastated by heavy monsoon rains, emphasizing the lack of adequate relief efforts and the urgent need for government intervention.
Shahzado Malik, Executive Director of ARTS Foundation Mirpurkhas, stated, “The towns of Mirpurkhas and Jhuddo have been submerged in rainwater for months, yet no substantial relief has reached the affected people. It is deeply concerning that the Sindh government has not yet declared these severely impacted districts as calamity-hit areas, despite thousands of damaged houses and hundreds of thousands of acres of destroyed crops.”
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Sindh reports that 141,601 people have been displaced across multiple flood-affected districts, including Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Badin, Matiari, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sajawal, Dadu, Jacobabad, and Umerkot. As of September 4, 16,601 individuals, including 3,901 men, 4,193 women, and 8,507 children, have been displaced in Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot, Badin, and Matari districts alone.
Ms. Abira Ashfaq, a senior lawyer and human rights defender, raised concerns about the lack of proper oversight mechanisms for relief efforts. She noted, “The absence of a ‘calamity-hit’ declaration has hindered NGOs and international organizations from providing support. The funds allocated by the provincial government to district administrations during the initial rainfall remain unaccounted for.”
Yasir Hussain of the Climate Action Centre (CAC) criticized the government’s lack of preparedness, stating, “Despite previous disasters, no serious efforts were made to rescue and provide relief to the common people. The government has failed to learn from past experiences.”
Narain Kolhi, an activist from Badin, described the ongoing crisis in his district, where many areas remain submerged. He emphasized the severe economic impact, with at least two crops damaged and farmers unable to sow wheat due to flooded fields. Kolhi compared the current disaster’s intensity to the calamity of 2022, highlighting Badin’s vulnerability to frequent natural disasters due to its coastal location.
The webinar participants unanimously called for immediate action from the Sindh government to officially declare the affected districts as “calamity-hit” areas; implement a transparent mechanism for relief fund distribution and oversight; develop a comprehensive long-term strategy for disaster preparedness and climate resilience and collaborate with local and international organizations to provide immediate aid to affected communities
As the situation continues to worsen, the urgent need for government intervention and international support cannot be overstated. The lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Sindh residents hang in the balance, awaiting decisive action from their leaders.
