In response to the climate-induced flash floods and cloudbursts devastating northern Pakistan, particularly in the hardest hit district of Buner, Muslim Aid is on the ground delivering life-saving assistance to the most remote and hardest-hit communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Heavy monsoon rains, reported to be 50% heavier than last year, have triggered widespread destruction. The most recent spell from 14-15 August saw at least 337 people killed in KP, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information on KP Affairs, noted that as many as 1,000 people may have died amid last week’s flash floods in the region. Critical infrastructure, including over 1,913 houses and 124 bridges, has also been damaged or destroyed, leaving communities isolated and vulnerable.

While many aid organisations are active in more accessible areas, Muslim Aid is focusing its efforts on reaching villages others cannot. Our first distribution point was at a primary school where we distributed around 55 to 60 food packs. This commitment was underscored in a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Buner, who expressed his confidence, stating, “I have confidence upon Muslim Aid as they are targeting the farthest remote area.”

Yesterday, our teams successfully distributed 150 food packs across four remote villages, Kuzgokand, Bargokand, Kot, and Dara, often trekking to the last accessible points on damaged roads to save survivors the arduous journey.

The human tragedy is profound. Our distribution in one village was facilitated by a local man who, despite losing all eight members of his own family, worked tirelessly to help his community receive aid. According to the community affected in this village, the death toll is around 23.

Initial assessments by Muslim Aid teams on the ground reveal that while food is being distributed by various groups, there is a critical shortage of Non-Food Items (NFIs). In response, Muslim Aid – which has been nominated as technical lead among Muslim NGOs mobilising in the area – has decided to shift strategy to increase the number of NFIs distributed to Buner, KP, with 150 procured for Bagh, AJK

With more intense rainfall forecasted and a health emergency declared in multiple districts, the need for shelter, clean water, and health services is desperate. To address this, Muslim Aid is procuring and deploying hundreds of additional NFI kits, including kitchen sets, bedding, and hygiene supplies, specifically for the devastated communities in Buner.

“The scale of loss is beyond imagination,” said Dr Asif Iqbal, Muslim Aid Pakistan Country Director, who is in Buner, leading the response. “We are seeing immense bravery amidst utter devastation. Our mission is to ensure that those in the most remote mountain communities, who have lost everything, are not forgotten. They need shelter and the means to survive now, and we are urgently scaling up our response to provide it.”

To support Muslim Aid’s emergency response in Pakistan, donate at: https://www.muslimaid.org/pakistan-flood-emergency/