Pakistan Flood Emergency 2025: Caritas Pakistan’s Humanitarian Response
Pakistan is experiencing one of its deadliest monsoon seasons in recent history, with widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides affecting multiple provinces since late June. Heavy rains, cloudbursts, and river overflows have caused large-scale destruction, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh.
Relentless monsoon rains and bordering river surges have pushed Punjab’s Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej into exceptionally high flood, submerging villages, damaging crops and infrastructure, and forcing mass evacuations. Official updates and major outlets report over a million people affected in Punjab alone, with flows at key headworks (Qadirabad, Khanki, Shahdara, Ganda Singh Wala) reaching extreme levels and authorities warning of further downstream impacts into Sindh in the coming days.
Punjab’s devastation extends to its cultural heritage and transport networks, with flooding reported at the Kartarpur Sahib shrine and areas around major bridges and road links. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flash floods and landslides, especially in Buner, Swat, and surrounding districts, have claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed homes, roads, and essential services.
Key Impacts
- Human Impact: 1.2 million affected; 250,000 displaced in Punjab alone
- Houses Damaged: Over 7,465 across Pakistan
- Livestock Losses: 5,584 animals lost
- Transport Infrastructure: 658 km of roads and 238 bridges damaged or destroyed
- Cultural/Heritage Sites: Kartarpur Sahib shrine ground floor flooded.
We are deeply saddened by the suffering caused by the floods. The Church stands with the affected families through prayer and action. Caritas Pakistan is actively responding, and we urge continued support from all our faithful and international partners.
— Archbishop Benny Mario Travas, General Secretary, Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference
Caritas Pakistan has mobilized its national, diocesan, and volunteer networks to respond rapidly to the unfolding flood crisis. Working in close collaboration with NDMA, PDMAs, Rescue 1122, and local authorities, Caritas teams are actively present in the affected areas, carrying out needs assessments, coordinating relief operations, and preparing to implement the organization’s Rapid Response Plan.
Caritas Pakistan has distributed 250 food packages and hygiene kits among flood-affected families, while medical camps are being set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to provide urgent healthcare services to flood-affected communities.
“This is a national emergency. We are mobilizing immediate help to different flood-affected areas, including Buner. Our teams are on the ground assessing needs and providing food, shelter, medical aid, and restoring dignity to affected families.”
— Amjad Gulzar, Executive Director, Caritas Pakistan
Caritas Pakistan urgently appeals to donors, partners, and civil society organizations to join hands in responding to this humanitarian crisis. Immediate support is needed to save lives, protect families, and restore dignity to those affected.
