A Doctors Without Borders’ medical team is providing consultation to the flood-affected people in Dera Murad Jamali district, eastern Balochistan. Pakistan, September 2022. © MSF
A view of a village in Dera Murad Jamali administration where flood-water is stagnant and people have moved to the side of roads in flood-hit eastern Balochistan. Pakistan, September 2022. © MSF
The challenges are many and great. There is a battle for medicine and human resources, both doctors and nurses, and in many areas, it is very difficult to reach people. We are trying to help as best as possible.
It is heart breaking to see how mud houses have been completely washed away by the water. They have largely disappeared. In many places, the water is standing high and the only thing people can do is wait for it to fall again. It’s terrible. Those who can, either walk or swim through the water. However, there are many who simply cannot do anything but wait for the water to recede or for someone to come and help them.
Only half an hour to an hour outside the city you come across huge masses of water. Water standing metres above the ground. Here in the city, there are also traces of the water. Both on public buildings and on terrains.
Many people have lost everything. In addition, because they live at the roadside they do not have access to clean water and toilets. For women in particular it is difficult because they have to go to great lengths to meet their needs. People find it difficult to protect themselves from the extreme temperatures we experience - up to 50 degrees. Some of those sitting on the side of the road have only some hand-woven beds stacked on top of each other with a piece of cloth or plastic to shield them from the sun.Shahid Abdullah - Emergency Field Coord.
At our hospital, we see many children who have been born with malnutrition. This was the case before the floods, but the current situation may contribute to a worsening of their condition. People here already live a hard life, so it is hitting them even harder.
There are such huge needs, we are happy that we can be here to help.”
