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The 2022 floods submerged one-third of Pakistan. Caused by extreme rainfall at a time of year when Indus River levels were at their highest due to melting snow in Pakistan’s mountainous north, the effects of the flooding were devastating. Millions of people lost their homes and livelihoods and were impacted by death and disability. The floods brought about severe damage and economic loss to already marginalised communities within the Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces. This study aimed to identify the gaps and challenges in addressing psychosocial traumas from community, family and individual perspectives by understanding the lived experiences and positive methods of dealing with the different traumas of the flood-affected communities, in particular children. Furthermore, the study aimed to help create health and wellbeing indicators and a monitoring tool, by collaborating with communities to understand their needs and priorities through economic, environmental and social impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
This participatory qualitative research study involved grassroots leaders who play an active role among local communities, and representatives of civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local governments’ first responders, disaster management teams, and families and children. The methodological framework weaves in a range of methodologies, methods and theories that break away from the strict confines of Western scientific protocol and incorporate indigenous methodologies. Fieldwork in Dadu informed the development of the coding and analytical frameworks that were used in the analysis and reporting of this research. Furthermore, the health and wellbeing indicators were used to establish recommendations for Islamic Relief Pakistan in supporting the f lood-affected communities.
The findings show that the members of the affected communities were able to express what made them happy and understood the challenges they faced. Therefore, it is important that development initiatives forge solutions with the communities and not for them; solutions that expand culturally sensitive ‘real freedoms’ for people to enjoy.
There was a strong sense of bonding between the communities. This bonding was cemented by their Islamic faith and ability to self-mobilise, sharing food and other limited resources with each other. It can be further strengthened by external actors. Protection for children was a major issue of concern for all study participants. Child abuse is systemic throughout these communities and a completely taboo subject. Through games, safe spaces can be carved out in a child’s chaotic environment to work through feelings such as pain, fear or loss. Play is directly linked to creative expression. It can create introspection, leading to the creation of new realities and identities. Most families lacked material resources, and access to clean drinking water was also an issue. Providing children with some form of education during flood events is critical for their health and wellbeing. Many of the children and young people interviewed expressed a desire to learn traditional vocational skills such as farming techniques and blanket weaving. The Toilets built by Islamic Relief Pakistan reduced open defecation, groundwater contamination and associated illnesses. Additionally, they provided users with privacy and dignity, and greatly improved safety and protection.
Two overarching and interconnected themes that encompass the range of health and wellbeing indicators were evident – the inner dimensions of empowerment and external factors for development. This report’s recommendations include developing a community vocational training scheme, exploring how safety in open areas can be improved, training teachers and parents on better supporting traumatised children, creating decentralised storage sites for immediate relief, connecting with the communities via social media for flood information, developing a community-led flood emergency preparedness committee, continuing the toilet building project, nominating safe keepers to watch over children, establishing buddy systems for walking to school groups and collecting water or other resources, continuing developing the ‘Mahmood Says’ game to be incorporated with the existing Islamic Relief