he mega-flood of 2022 has had a devastating impact on women, especially those pregnant or lactating. Women-headed households have also suffered more than others. The combination of a harsh winter and post-flood difficulties has made survival a hard challenge.

Many women have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods as a result of the flood. Many have experienced trauma and loss and are still struggling to cope with the stress and uncertainty of the disaster.

To address the challenges facing women in the wake of the mega-flood, it is important for the government and other organisations to provide them with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives and protect their rights. This includes providing access to education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities and ensuring that women have a safe and secure place to live and that their rights are respected and protected.

Winter and post-flood situations are difficult times for communities. However, with proper planning and preparedness, it is possible to alleviate the impact of these events.

Flood water is still present in some places in Mirpurkhas and Sanghar. This can cause diseases in the severe winter.

In Mirpurkhas and Sanghar, Strengthening Participatory Organisation and Oxfam have provided support to 4,600 women-headed families through a cash assistance of Rs 25,000 for 1,600 families; and shelter and hygiene kits for 3,000 families. They are also providing winterisation kits to 4,000 families to cope with the situation.

The SPO is responding to the post-flood needs in eight districts of Sindh to ensure that aid is distributed fairly, equitably and without any discrimination.

In Mirpurkhas and Sanghar, the cash assistance has provided a lifeline for women who have lost their homes, livelihoods and resources. Some women from the project community have chosen to use some of the cash to cover the cost of a daughter’s wedding, which can be a significant financial burden for many families. This may be especially true when people are struggling to meet their basic needs. Some of the families have spent the amount on purchasing livestock (goats and sheep) to sell milk products to meet their needs on a daily basis.

In order to enroll their children in school, parents may need to provide certain documents, such as a B form. This may be required in order to meet the basic enrollment criteria set by the government. The SPO is also helping people get the B forms to enroll children in schools.

Here are a few recommendations for post-flood response during the winter season in Sindh:

Provision of winterisation package for carpet coverage of affected people, especially women. It is important to ensure that people affected by the flood have access to warm clothing and blankets to protect themselves against the cold weather. This can help prevent illness and ensure that the people have a basic level of comfort during the recovery period.

Repair and reinforce shelter. It is important to ensure that people have access to adequate shelter during the winter season. This may involve repairing and reinforcing existing shelters.

Provide livelihoods: Sindh needs a long-term strategy to provide livelihood opportunities to help people rebuild their income-generating activities. This may involve providing technical skills, investment in small businesses and other forms of support to help people get back on their feet.

It is important to take a holistic approach to post-flood response and winter.

This flood has had a significant impact on a large number of women. They face a range of challenges, including a lack of access to essential services and financial hardship. It is crucial that efforts are made to support and empower these women and to help them rebuild their lives and communities.

The writer is based in Umerkot. He has more than 12 years of experience in the development sector. He can be reached at shewaram@live.com