Orphaned By Floods: Little Azan's Silent Struggle After Losing Entire Family In Buner Tragedy

In the flood-ravaged village of Bashonai in Buner district, a devastating tragedy has changed the life of young Azan forever. The catastrophic flash floods swept away his home, his parents, and six family members, leaving the child orphaned and homeless.

Azan, too young to comprehend the magnitude of the loss, now lives under the care of his uncle, trying to navigate the harsh reality of life without his loved ones. The disaster claimed the lives of 19 members of Azan's extended family.

When we visited his uncle's home, people were gathered for a condolence prayer for the flood victims. Azan sat silently on a chair near a charpoy, watching the somber faces around him, unaware why everyone was treating him with such extraordinary tenderness.

Also Read: Five Militants Killed as Terrorists Attack FC Fort in Hangu Three Soldiers Martyred

After the prayer, a social worker handed him an envelope, presumably containing financial aid. Moments later, some young men took turns posing for selfies with the little boy.

Azan's uncle, Shamsur Rahman, shared the heartbreaking details:“Azan is the eldest son of my youngest brother. When the flood hit, he was playing outside the house. Seeing the water rushing in, he ran toward the mountains and survived.” To protect the child from further trauma, the family avoids discussing the incident in his presence, but his eyes still reflect the terror of that day.

He revealed that his mother, who lived with Azan's parents, also perished in the flood, along with Azan's three younger brothers. The body of the youngest brother remains missing, though locals assured the family with photographs that the child had been buried.

Shamsur Rahman, who had been working in Malaysia, rushed back home upon hearing the tragic news.“I lost my wife and daughters in this disaster,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.

The entire Bashonai community remains in deep shock. A temporary psychological support camp has been set up in the area to help survivors cope with their trauma. Dr. Hamdard Yusufzai, who spends his days counseling the victims, stressed the need for long-term support:

“Natural disasters like these leave profound psychological scars. It's essential to provide continuous emotional support to those who have lost their loved ones so they can eventually return to normal life,” he said.

Dr. Hamdard warned that once volunteers and aid workers leave, survivors could be engulfed by loneliness.“They urgently need access to mental health professionals in nearby hospitals. Support during this critical phase is vital to prevent long-term psychological damage,” he added.

MENAFN25082025000189011041ID1109972422