Temporary shelters provided by Tearfund to homeless flood survivors. Photo: Guy Calvert-Lee/Tearfund
31 July 2012
Like many Pakistanis, widow Sharo Bibi had to make a swift exit when the rising flood waters inundated her village in 2010.
Along with her teenage daughter and son, they fled to a temporary camp but lack of shelter meant they had to stay outdoors for a month.
Help eventually came in the form of a summer tent from the Pakistani army. Sharo recalls: ‘It wasn’t enough protection and we weren’t able to sleep the whole night.’
Hopeless
When she returned to her village in Thatta district in Sindh province, Sharo found the six foot high flood waters had washed away her home and many others. She felt hopeless until she heard about the work of a Tearfund team responding to the disaster.
They helped negotiate with the landlord who owned the site that her previous home was built on and then constructed a new shelter for the family. Tearfund also provided them with cooking utensils, food and hygiene kits.
Sharo said of the new shelter, ‘For me it is a complete home.
‘Although I have now received a shelter, I’m still making myself believe the reality. We’re so happy and I’m praying to God for those who helped us and brought some relief to our lives.’