Concern supporting 210,000 people hit by devastating Pakistan floods
Concern Worldwide Supporting 210,000 People Affected by Pakistan Floods
Concern Worldwide and its partners are delivering life-saving assistance to communities devastated by severe flooding across Pakistan, where 5.8 million people have been forced from their homes.
The Irish humanitarian organization is already reaching more than 210,000 people with urgent support in the worst-affected regions. Families are receiving:
- Food rations including flour, rice, and beans
- Bedding kits with mattresses, quilts, and floor mats
- Hygiene supplies such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sanitary pads
- Debris removal kits with pickaxes, spades, and wheelbarrows
Human Impact
Since June, heavier-than-normal monsoon rains have triggered floods and landslides that have killed more than 900 people and injured nearly 1,200. Roads and bridges have been washed away, cutting off access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods. More than 8,000 homes have been destroyed, with farming families losing crops, livestock, and land — essential sources of income and food.
“Visiting the affected areas, I saw firsthand the damage and destruction,” said Shafqat Ullah, Concern’s Senior Technical Advisor on Livelihoods.
“Shopkeepers were knee-deep in mud, farmers had lost entire maize crops, and families were left with nothing. In the face of such profound loss, we are committed to standing with these communities, providing humanitarian assistance and helping them rebuild their futures.”
Areas Most Affected
The north of Pakistan has been hardest hit, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. Punjab, the country’s largest region and home to half of Pakistan’s 251 million people, is facing its worst floods in decades. Concern is also active in Gilgit-Baltistan and preparing to respond in Sindh province, where an additional 1.6 million people are at risk.
Nearly 1 million people (935,668) have already been rescued, with the government operating more than 1,300 relief camps. Concern and partners are repairing toilets, hand pumps, and hand-washing stations in several of these camps.
Voices from the Ground
“Our financial situation is very difficult, and we live hand-to-mouth,” said Yasmeen Akhtar, from Punjab. “During the heavy rains, our house collapsed and everything was lost. For days, we had no food or shelter. I am incredibly thankful to Concern for providing us with a kitchen set and hygiene kit, which restored some dignity and helped us meet our basic needs.”
Growing Food Insecurity
The areas hit hardest are Pakistan’s farming belt. With vegetables and maize stocks destroyed and wheat planting now in jeopardy, food prices are already rising and are expected to climb further in the months ahead.
Climate Crisis and Recurring Disasters
Extreme weather events fueled by climate change are increasing in frequency and severity. On August 15, a rare cloudburst in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dropped nearly 6 inches of rain in an hour — double Ireland’s average rainfall for the entire month of August.
Many of these communities had not yet recovered from the catastrophic 2022 floods, Pakistan’s deadliest natural disaster, which killed 1,700 people, displaced 8 million, and caused nearly $30 billion in damages. Now, just three years later, families are once again losing homes, land, and livelihoods.
Concern’s Long-Term Commitment
Concern Worldwide has worked in Pakistan for 24 years, with programs focused on building climate resilience and supporting the most vulnerable communities.
