Jaffarabad, located in the eastern part of Balochistan, is a largely agrarian district known for its fertile plains and diverse communities. Bordered by Sindh to the east, the district serves as a key link between the two provinces and plays an important role in local trade and agriculture.
The district exhibits a predominantly rural population, with nearly 67% of its residents living in villages—underscoring the region’s dependence on agriculture and rural livelihoods. The region faces several challenges, including seasonal flooding and limited infrastructure, which test the resilience of its residents.
Many families from the Hindu community in Jaffarabad continue to live in makeshift tents, with poverty limiting access to basic facilities. Widows, in particular, face more vulnerabilities in these informal settlements.
Amid these challenges, the responsibility to support communities and create safer living conditions becomes not just a need but necessity. To address this gap, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), in partnership with the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), constructed and handed over 30 weather-resilient homes to widows from the Hindu community in Hindu Goth village, Union Council Naseer Abad, under the “Saiban Project.”
According to beneficiaries, the intervention has allowed them to reclaim a sense of security after years of living in tents exposed to harsh weather and frequent floods. The homes are built with durable materials and equipped with solar-powered electricity, water tanks, washrooms, drainage systems, and kitchens.
The village streets have also been paved, making daily life easier—especially during the rainy season.
Simran, one of the widows who received a house, said, “We were living in tents for years. Rain, wind, and heat made life unbearable. Now we have a roof that won’t blow away.” Another woman, Mithi Bai, added, “The kitchen and toilet are inside. It makes a big difference.”
The need for climate-resilient housing has increased across Balochistan in the wake of worsening weather patterns. The 2022 floods—driven by erratic monsoon rains—devastated large parts of the province.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the majority of Jaffarabad’s population was directly affected, with hundreds of thousands displaced. Many still live in temporary shelters without access to clean water, electricity, or sanitation.
The Saiban project is not the first housing initiative launched by OGDCL in Balochistan. In 2024, the company constructed 84 climate resilience houses for local families in Umaid Ali Rawtani village of Jhal Magsi district. For families living in makeshift tents, these homes offer more than brick and mortar—they restore a sense of shelter, privacy, and dignity.
While the construction of these homes may seem modest in scale, it carries weight far beyond its numbers. For families who have endured years of uncertainty, these houses represent the first step in rebuilding lives disrupted by disaster and neglect. Supporting the most vulnerable is not just an act of charity—it is a commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient society, where every citizen has the chance to live with dignity and hope.
Such initiatives highlight what can be achieved through strategic collaboration. They also remind us that ensuring basic living conditions for all, is a shared responsibility. Lasting change requires sustained commitment from both public institutions and private actors, working together to create a future where no one is left behind.
This article is written by Arshad Ali. The writer is a lecturer at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications,University of Swabi.