Photo Gallery Life After the Flood
What Remains
Said only succeeded in rescuing two of his sheep from the flood. My village, Mehmood Kot, doesnt exist anymore, he says. He currently lives with friends in Muzaffargarh.
All Your Possessions in One Truck
This family from the village of Baseera was lucky: They were able to rescue a lot out of their house after it had been flooded, including the three cows at the back of the truck.
Medicine for the Young
Relief organizations and Pakistani officials have been providing medicine and setting up emergency camps. Here, a doctor gives the worried parents of a small child some medicine against stomach cramps.
All of a Sudden, the House Was Gone
Many have taken refuge in a school in Muzaffargarh, in the southern part of Punjab Province. Azimmai, the 70-year-old woman shown here, lost her son to the floods. He was simply swept away, she says. Her house was also completely disappeared.
Still Hoping to Get Married
In the flood, Azimmai lost all of the jewelry that she had purchased for her daughters wedding. The celebration had been scheduled for the end of this week, but now it has been cancelled. I dont even know if the man who wanted to marry my daughter will still want to now, Azimmai says.
The Smell of Urine and Vomit
Mohammed Qureshi, an official with Muzaffargarhs local government, is in charge of a refugee camp based in a school belonging to Pakistans workers welfare association. Officially, the camp holds 2,678 people; but, as Qureshi says: In truth, its at least 5,000. The school reeks of urine and vomit, and hygienic conditions are atrocious. What are you supposed to do when there are so many people? Qureshi asks.
A Scarcity of Food
Here, a young woman prepares flatbread for herself and her daughter. Theres nothing but bread, she says. Yesterday, I only received flour and a bit of oil.
Fear of What Is Yet to Come
Hajra tries to rock her sick child to sleep. At least we get something to eat and some medicine here in the camp, she says. Whos going to help us when we have to leave?
No Money for Medicine
Hajra says that her daughter has a fever and has been ill for several days. She finally found some medicine in the emergency shelter in Muzaffargarh. While traveling from her destroyed village to the camp, she couldnt buy any medicine because she didnt have any more money.
Sick and Hungry
Hameeda, 70, complains about not getting any food to eat. The woman has a stomach infection, explains a doctor caring for patients in the emergency shelter in Muzaffargarh. She just cant eat anything. Otherwise we would have given her something long ago.
At Least a Tent Overhead
The schools cant hold all the refugees. Many are forced to stay in tent camps.
Donations from around the World
Pakistani and international aid organizations have provided funds to pay for this tent city in Muzaffargarh.
No Work, No Bread
Still, even all the tent camps arent big enough to hold all the refugees. This family from the village of Godri built a makeshift shelter alongside a road. Weve been living here for three weeks, says Rehman Ashfaq (fourth from left). No one gives us anything to eat. Every day, we look for new work to earn our bread.
Fleeing from the Heat
It is often unbearably hot in the refugee camps because frequent power shortages keep the fans from working and there arent any air-conditioning units. In the southern part of Punjab Province, daytime temperatures currently hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Many families choose to take refuge from the heat in the shade of trees.
Hunger and Thirst
A young boy waits to receive milk at a refugee tent camp.
New Times, New Rules
A mother certifies having received six packages of milk with a thumb print. Different camps have different rules. In this one, the only women to receive milk are those with a child younger than six.
Return to the Old Village
Most of the village of Baseera is still under water. These youths are making the best of the situation by going for a swim.
From Fields to Fish
These former farming fields have become a lake. This man hopes to be able to catch a fish.
Crossing Your Fingers
These young men are hoping to get lucky by catching some of the many fish in the rivers with their improvised net.
A Minor Success
Within just 10 minutes, one of the young men caught these three small fish. Maybe Ill even catch enough today to be able to sell some, he says.
Never, Never Give Up
The people in the southern part of Punjab Province are doing everything they can to survive.
Finding Strength in Numbers
For many, comfort comes in solidarity. Theres no shortage of help available when something lands in the net.
Back on the Streets
Just a few days ago, the water in the southern part of Punjab province was chest-high. But, now, you can manage the stretch between Multan and Muzaffargarh by motorcycle.
