On 8 October 2005, an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.6 hit northern Pakistan, killing 80,000 people
and leaving 73,000 wounded. Given the extent of the destruction in their villages and with winter
arriving, large numbers of displaced villagers came down from the mountains to seek refuge in
temporary camps during the winter of 2005.
In March 2006, people in the camps were returned to their villages, but the rebuilding process had not
yet started.
Today, the situation hasn’t changed much. However, once again, the harshness of the winter
threatens a population that has not yet recovered from the consequences of the earthquake.
Other crises now overshadow Pakistan in the news. Even the majority of Pakistanis have turned back
to their everyday lives. But for some populations far away in the north of Pakistan still living in tents or
in temporary shelters, the situation has worsened since last year, making them even more vulnerable.
The team of Médecins du Monde (MdM, and also known as Doctors of the World), followed these
displaced people returning from the camps to their villages of origin. The MdM mission aimed at
stabilising their health, while also listening to their stories.
We wish to share here the testimony of these victims from some of the most devastated
valleys. These men, women and children have endured monsoons, landslides, economic
problems and complications with procedures for rebuilding, all in-between two winter seasons.