Peshawar / Lahore:
Although rescue efforts help a disaster struck by the victims to escape in complete safety in the debris of their homes, they are insufficient to save millions of flood cases through the country of drowning in their own psychological turmoil.
Sahar, nine, who was spotted in a camp located in Mohlanwal near the Ravi de Lahore river, was once occupied with school books and toys. Basted in the middle of nowhere with her parents and siblngs, Sahar recalled the life she left. “My favorite set of dolls left, and my books were also ruined. How will I continue my studies?” cried Sahar, whose eyes reflected the grief of a child whose whole world had suddenly been broken.
Sahar’s father, Mohammad Kashif, who was a hairdresser by profession, revealed that he had built a small house after years of hard work and a life of income, which were all carried away in a few moments. “The loss of material possessions can be offset, but I am extremely worried for my children. They wake up every night, amazed by the sight of water. As a father, I have no words to console them. I am in such a state of helplessness that I can only clean their tears,” shared an inconsolable kashif.
“For all children, his house is their place of safety in an unpredictable world. When this safe place is no longer, the child begins to feel unsure.
Iftikhar Mubarak, responsible for the research of justice, revealed that he had visited several areas affected by the floods. “We have provided toys and other elements of interest for affected children so that they can recover from the trauma in a timely time. But this is only a temporary support because a permanent solution would imply a psychological rehabilitation sponsored by the State,” said Mubarak.
For displaced families, leisure can appease part of their sorrow, however, for hundreds of families in KP in mourning of the loss of their loved ones, the trauma strikes much more deeply. On August 15, more than 200 people were killed during a cloud incident in Buner. One of these families was that of Yahya, 15, from the village of Bishnoi, who lost eight family members. After the tragedy, Yahya entered a deep psychological shock because of which he was admitted to the Lady Reading hospital.
According to Dr. Israr Khan, a member of Pakistan Psychiatric Society and deputy professor in the Lady Reading Hospital Department of Buner, a team has set up psychiatric camps in Buner every Tuesday and Wednesday for helping the victims suffering from anxiety and depression.
“Yahya, the child admitted to the neighborhood is in shock while three alumni of Bishnoi also lost his memory because of this tragedy. After any traumatic incident, people often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (SSPT), which does not last it at nine months.
“Although it is only three weeks only the destruction due to the Cloudburst, mental stress, depression and post-traumatic stress prevail among the victims. Although my family has not suffered victims, 40 families of the Sikh community were also affected by tragic Buner floods,” confirmed Vinesh Singh, a resident of the village of Sawari.
Since August 15, 415 people have been killed and 135 injured in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while 2,562 houses have been damaged. According to experts, the SSPT, depression and anxiety become more frequent in populations affected by floods, melted glaciers, rains and waves of serious heat, while “eco-anxiety” increases rapidly in children and adolescents. Experts urge the introduction of “climate -sensitive mental health services” to Pakistan to provide timely treatment and community support.
Punjab rescue commissioner Nabeel Javed revealed that more than 2.5 million people had been evacuated and hundreds of emergency and medicine camps were installed. “On the directives of the Minister -in -Chief of Punjab, the financial losses of the victims are compensated and teams of psychologists provide services in temporary shelters,” said Javed.
