ases of anxiety, mainly resulting from domestic violence, have increased dramatically among women and children in Balochistan’s flood-affected Oraki, a poor dusty village in the Lasbela district.

In July last year, a devastating flood changed the lives of nearly 2,000 residents of Oraki. The flood waters washed away the entire settlement, cultivated lands, roads and hundreds of houses. Eight months later, the poor villagers are still struggling to cope with the horror of the flood. They say the flood killed dozens in the village. Also, hundreds of villagers became jobless overnight. Most of them are still looking for compensation and help.

“My family lost two close family members, cultivated land and livestock in the flood. It has also taken a heavy toll on me, emotionally and physically,” says Mah Bibi, 35.

“For our livelihoods, we have always depended on ancestral lands. My husband used to cultivate and sell vegetables in Bela city or Uthal town. Sadly, the flood washed away everything. For the last eight months, my husband hasn’t had a job or a reliable income. As a result, his behaviour has changed. He has become more aggressive and releases his frustration at home. I and my two children, too young to understand the reason, have to suffer it,” she says.

During his visit to flood-affected areas in Balochistan last August, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had announced a Rs 10 billion grant for the flood affected. The provincial government said it lacked resources to rehabilitate the 360,000 people who had been affected, while around 300 people died. The government has established the Balochistan Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Fund to gather donations to help those affected by the floods. But Oraki residents affected by the worst flooding in a decade still need help.

“Initially, we were provided some rations, medicines and tents. But we can’t spend our entire lives in the tents. The scorching heat will make it unbearable,” says Meena*.

“My children and I still need help. My husband is a drug addict. Before the flood, he used to work in the fields. After the flood destroyed everything, he has become jobless. He is not home most of the time, but when he returns home, he always quarrels over money. My children and I are happier when he is away,” says a shattered-looking Meena. Her youngest daughter, 19, is depressed too.

Domestic violence has become more common in villages like Oraki. Verbal abuse and minor injuries are not even considered an issue.

She has been seriously affected by the social and economic consequences of the catastrophe. She has taken on additional care and household work now. “I worked at someone’s house initially, but my mother said no. I stitch clothes nowadays. Those fetch a little money for the family,” the poor lady says.

The youth in the village, including Meena’s daughter, have also been impacted by the flooding. After the school building was destroyed, the students have been forced to attend classes outdoors. Heavy rain and flash floods have caused significant harm to the education infrastructure in Balochistan. Initial estimates suggest that approximately 3,000 schools in 26 districts have been damaged or destroyed. According to official records, 321 school buildings in the Lasbela district have been damaged.

As a result, Meena’s daughter has stopped attending school and works to help her mother. Meena’s youngest child, who is only 7, has also stopped going to school.

Apart from financial aid, shelter, and hygienic food, thousands in the district and hundreds in Oraki village need immediate mental healthcare. The flood has also resulted in more domestic violence. Depression and anxiety have hit many women and children.

In Lasbela alone, I have met dozens of women who have endured physical and mental violence after last summer’s flood. Domestic violence has become more common in villages like Oraki. Verbal abuse and minor injuries aren’t even considered an issue.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for the NGOs and relief workers to accurately assess the scale of violence against women. Many people don’t like to report it.

Haseena* from Oraki, in her mid-20s, tells me she was married recently. She says she has been mistreated by her two unmarried sisters-in-law.

“They believe that I am unlucky and responsible for the misfortunes that have befallen their family,” she says, referring to the destruction and loss of income caused by the recent flood that wiped out everything her husband had.

“I am constantly blamed for everything because the flood happened 28 days after my marriage,” she adds.

Despite the passage of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill in 2014 by the provincial assembly, women in the region are killed in the name of honour. Domestic violence is severely underreported. Even when it is reported, prosecution is rare. In most cases pressure is brought to bear on the complainants to withdraw the reports.

*Names have been changed to protect identities

The writer is a psychologist currently studying for an MS in psychology at SZABIST, Karachi