Pakistan Floods: How You Can Help and Where You Can Still Visit
There are still many sites you can and should visit.
Powerful flash floods have ripped through Pakistan in the last month. The devastation has been severe in certain areas, such as the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to BBC News, the death toll stands at 1,130 (a number that is expected to increase as search and rescue activities continue). The United Nations has appealed $160 million to assist Pakistan in the aftermath of massive monsoon rains that have displaced 33 million people and devastated homes, businesses, infrastructure, and agriculture. Here’s an overview of the Pakistan floods, including where they occurred, how you can help, and what’s next for this destination.
The affected areas
Flash floods caused by destructive monsoon rains in Pakistan became the biggest disaster to ever strike the country, which is one of the top ten producers of wheat, cotton, sugarcane, mango, dates, and oranges.
Sindh and Balochistan have been particularly hard struck. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region was hit far worse than the rest of the high mountain valley terrain. Many beautiful hotels have disappeared, notably the Honeymoon Hotel in Kalam, in the northern upper region of Swat valley, which had rooms overlooking the once-glorious Swat River.
Recovery activities are still in their early stages, with survivors seeking protection in temporary shelters. Emergency aid organisations, such as the Pakistan Red Crescent, are now providing relief assistance in 23 of the worst-affected districts, with the help of other Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement societies.
How you can help
Pakistan requires urgent support. The most effective approach to assist is to send money to reputable organisations, who can then distribute it as needed.
Among the respected charities are Muslim Hands UK and SKT Welfare. Wild Frontiers, who credit Pakistan as the birthplace of their adventure travel company, are also raising funds. You can also donate directly to Pakistan funds set up by the local government, including the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022, and the CM Flood Relief Fund Punjab, which was launched during a live telethon hosted by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
While cash contributions are the most urgent and necessary in the aftermath of a disaster, there are other methods to help humanitarian operations. Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiani is currently delivering meals, clothes and other basics to survivors across the affected areas through her humanitarian initiative, Vaseela-E-Raah. If you’re planning a trip to Pakistan’s less-affected areas (more on that below), you can connect with them and look into volunteer opportunities and supply drives.
The places you can still visit
Lahore
Though the floods devastated several regions and coastal cities, none have had the same long-term impact as the three Pakistani provinces. Hotels and airports are open for business throughout the rest of Pakistan. Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport is also operating. Lahore’s well-known tourist attractions, including the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, and Haveli Rooftop Restaurant, remain open, and so are hotels such as the Luxus Grand and Pearl Continental. Though arranging a trip may feel like the last thing on your mind, the flow of tourism revenue is more crucial today than ever, by visiting Pakistan’s unaffected areas.
Islamabad
Islamabad, like Lahore, was unaffected by the flash floods, and all hotels and airports are open for business, safe, and welcoming to visitors. The Monal Restaurant, which we named one of the best rooftop restaurants in Pakistan, reminds travellers that they shouldn’t cancel their plans. The Pakistan Monument, built on top of the hills of Islamabad in a large park, can still be visited. An early morning visit means you will have the entire location to yourself, allowing you to roam around at your leisure.
