Recent unprecedented monsoon rains caused massive flooding in Pakistan which affected more than 33 million people, displaced tens of millions, and claimed more than 1,400 lives.

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) deployed three teams to Pakistan in the first week of November to assess needs on the ground and assist our local partners in aid distribution.

SRC Team 1 visiting an affected area in Sehwan, Sindh. [Photo by Toh Kian Beng, volunteer]

The remnants of what used to be a home underscore the magnitude of the devastation spawned by the flooding.

Though the flood waters have since receded, homes in flood-affected areas like this village in Kot Sabzal were either damaged or completely destroyed, making them uninhabitable.

Water damage caused large cracks in the structure of homes such as this one. The family has been avoiding sleeping under the roof for fear of collapse. 

Having lost their homes, displaced people construct makeshift houses made from dried branches of cotton trees.

[Photo by Gideon Chew, volunteer]

These temporary shelters leave residents exposed to wind, dust, and the elements as they sleep.

Following a flood, there is heightened risk that affected communities may experience water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio.

Locally, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has been working to provide safe drinking water for displaced persons.

This water filtration plant serves a community in Sujawal, Sindh. [Photo by Gideon Chew, volunteer]

SRC provided a total of four Wateroam filters to our Pakistani partners JCI and One2Another for use in flood-affected rural areas where access to clean water may be limited.

SRC Team 3 presents two filters to JCI.

Long-time volunteer and Team 2 leader Karun L demonstrates the setup, usage, and maintenance of a Wateroam filter to staff of 1toAnother.

Volunteer Don Chow demonstrates setting up the filter in a village.

Having learnt to operate the water filter, Village chief Mr Marvo will then teach his villagers. [Photo by Don Chow, volunteer]

Designed with disaster relief in mind, the filters are easy to set up and use, and can provide a community with clean drinking water from a freshwater source in a matter of minutes. [Photo by Don Chow, volunteer]

Besides the damage to their homes, agricultural communities also lost their crops to the floodwaters. SRC is working with our partners on the ground to provide much-needed supplies for affected communities. Common items include cooking staples such as lentils, oats, flour, cooking oil, chilli, and salt, as well as drinking water and hygiene items.

SRC Team 3 assisted with the packing and distribution of relief packages along with our ground partner JCI.

SRC Team 1 assisted PRCS with the distribution of food items and other essentials.

SRC Team 2 also assisted 1toAnother in the distribution of tent kits, complete with bamboo poles, stakes, and rain-proof cover sheets.

Following the devastation of their homes, affected communities are beginning to rebuild shelters with available materials. [Photo by Gideon Chew, volunteer]

The Singapore Red Cross will continue to collaborate closely with our partners on the ground to provide assistance where it is most needed.