Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Wikimedia Commons Pakistan Humanitarian Aid Flood Relief
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – "High alert level remains in place in Rawalpindi. The torrential rains are continuing and, according to weather forecasts, will last at least another week. North of Islamabad, a storm brought enormous amounts of rain in a very short time, causing flooding and landslides. It was terrible and completely unexpected. Numerous villages were flooded within a short period of time, causing many casualties and immense damage to people, homes, and crops. The situation is serious and has now spread to central Pakistan, such as the areas of Lahore and Multan in Punjab, and also to Karachi in the south, in the province of Sindh. The country is devastated," Fr. Asif John Khokhar, Vicar General of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Pakistan told Fides about the floods that have claimed over 360 victims in recent days, especially in the mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest of the country, where entire villages have been hit by landslides and families buried under the rubble.
"We are in a situation of great insecurity, communication is difficult and the rain continues, making it difficult and sometimes impossible to provide assistance to those affected," the Catholic priest reports. "Telephone and electricity connections are severely damaged or completely cut off. We have parishes in the north where our priests are working: we know they are alive, but many people in the surrounding villages are in a catastrophic situation and their lives are in danger."
"We are trying to organize aid," Father Asif continues, "but the provincial government is also facing great difficulties. In this precarious situation, Christian communities, especially through Caritas and individual parishes, have already launched aid programs as far as possible."
From central Pakistan, Father Francis Gulzar, parish priest of St. Joseph's Parish in Gujranwala, in the Archdiocese of Lahore, reports: "Here too, the floods have hit us; the rivers have overflowed their banks, causing severe damage to homes and crops." The network of Christian communities has mobilized to help the displaced: "Churches, schools, and parishes have opened their doors and are offering refuge to all who need everything, from food to shelter: the displaced are Muslims and Christians; it makes no difference; we are reaching out to the poor, needy, and desperate humanity," he emphasizes.
Since the beginning of July, torrential monsoon rains have hit Pakistan, causing landslides and flash floods that, according to authorities, have claimed more than 650 lives in about two months, and over a thousand people have been injured. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 21/8/2025)
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