Devastating floods have hit an estimated 14 million people across Pakistan . Peace Direct’s new partner, Aware Girls, works in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the region hardest hit by the floods – where an estimated 12 million people have been affected. Flooding has submerged whole villages in the past week, killing at least 1,600 people. And the worst floods to hit the region in 80 years could get worse, as it is only midway through monsoon season.
Thankfully we have heard from Gulalai, the chair of Aware Girls, that her and her family are safe. In the last few days the staff and volunteers at Aware Girls have been helping distribute food to people whose homes have been devasted by the floods.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North West Frontier Province ) is one of the most radical states in Pakistan . The flood brings further instability to an extremely volatile region where militant groups manipulate strong religious beliefs into violent action; suicide bombings, torching schools and killing civilians.
Aware utilizes one of the most vital, yet neglected resources in the country – young women. They work directly with youth – particularly females – to help them develop leadership skills to be agents of change in their communities. Right now these young women are responding to the worst devastation they have seen, and helping people who need it the most.
We will keep you up to date with the situation on the ground as we hear more from them.
