One year after floods hit Pakistan, killing 2,000 people and leaving 11 million homeless, there are fears that this year’s monsoon could bring further disaster.

Many flood defences are reportedly still unrepaired after last year’s deluge, and contingency plans for coping with further heavy rain are either inadequate or non-existent.

The United Nations has warned that as many as five million people could be affected.

Echoing those fears, Christian Aid emergency programme manager Neill Garvie says it is poorer communities that will be worst hit.

‘There are major concerns about the level of preparedness should there be a repeat of last year’s heavy monsoon rains,’ said Mr Garvie.

Some 63 families in Goth Shah Nasar village in Sindh province now have houses that provide them with safety and a permanent home thanks to the help of Christian Aid’s partner Muslim Hands. These houses are far more secure than anything these families could afford to build on their own. Picture: Christian Aid/Susan Barry

‘It is poorer people who do not have the option of moving away from the farmlands where they are tenants or bonded labourers that suffer most when the rains come. The very people still reeling from last year’s floods could be hit again.

‘Along the River Indus flood barrages have not been repaired, while in some areas the river has been diverted by industry away from its course, increasing the flooding risk.

‘The diversion of water for agriculture has also added to the flooding risk while in recent decades the mouth of the River Indus has silted up. As a result, encroaching sea water is leading to land salination which is threatening livelihoods.’

Donations from the UK public have led to some improvement. Christian Aid has supported 20,000 families through partners in the Action by Churches Together Alliance.

Some 90,000 people have received food, shelter and water, and support in the form of vouchers to buy seeds, tools and fertiliser as well as cash grants to set up or re-establish small businesses such as masonry, carpentry and plumbing.

Christian Aid partner Church World Service has also provided mobile health units, offering treatment to 15,000 families, many of whom would not normally be reached by government services.

In addition, working with a partner, Muslim Hands, Christian Aid has funded a pilot project, building flood-resistant homes in mixed Muslim – Christian villages. More than 50 have been completed, with hundreds more now planned.

Case study

With construction training from Muslim Hands, Muhammad not only has a new house but he is also able to find work and earn money as a builder. Picture: Christian Aid/Susan Barry

Millions of families lost everything in the 2010 floods.  Muhammad Anwar and his wife fled their village in Sindh, one of the hardest-hit provinces, carrying their three children on their shoulders.  They walked 25 miles to seek refuge under a tree where they stayed for over a month. They had to beg for food.

Muhammad and his family returned to their village to find that their house had been destroyed along with their entire rice and sugar cane crop.

Christian Aid partner Muslim Hands helped Muhammad build a permanent, brick house for his family. He said ‘This house is an answer to our prayers’.

If floods return a sturdy house will withstand damage much better than their previous home. With construction training from Muslim Hands Muhammad not only has a new house but he is also able to find work and earn money as a builder.

Through the ACT Alliance partners, Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan and Muslim Hands, Christian Aid has helped over 20,000 flood affected families.

Projects include building latrines, water tanks, brick built houses, food, mosquito nets and construction trade training sessions; this is thanks to the money that has come in from the British public.

Work is continuing.  Christian Aid partners are still providing immediate health care needs and building flood resistant homes, as well developing the skills of local communities to aid their own recovery from future floods by developing construction skills in masonry, carpentry and plumbing.

• To find out more or to donate to Christian Aid please visit www.christianaid.org.uk/give/