Rebuilding Together: Navigating Life Post-Displacement

Salma Junejo has lived in Sachal Goth for over 30 years, establishing herself as a teacher and a social and political worker. She serves as the president of the women’s wing, Sindhi Aurat Tehrik, affiliated with the nationalist party Jiyay Sindh Mahaz (Khaliq Junejo group). Her involvement in social initiatives, particularly during times of crisis, highlights her long-standing role within the community.

In response to the flash floods of 2022, which displaced many families who relocated to Karachi, Salma played an active role in relief efforts. Alongside a group of colleagues, she conducted door-to-door fundraising campaigns and set up a women-led roadside relief camp. The relief efforts focused not only on providing food and temporary shelter but also addressed specific needs that often go unrecognized. Salma and her team prioritized the distribution of menstrual hygiene products and healthcare support for pregnant women, acknowledging the challenges faced by women in displacement. Through collaboration with medical professionals like Dr. Tipu Sultan and Dr. Sher Shah, they arranged ambulances and medical assistance at Kohi Goth Hospital, offering essential care.

Salma also recalled instances of support within the camps, including reuniting an elderly woman with her family after she had become separated from the group. Using social media and community networks, she was able to locate the woman in another camp, illustrating the varied methods employed to assist those in need.

Salma's perspective on climate migration and urban settlement is informed by her nationalist views. She supports the idea that displaced individuals from within Sindh should have the option to rebuild their lives in urban centers, provided there is adequate state support for housing and economic stability. For those whose homes have been permanently damaged, she views urban areas as potential spaces for resettlement and improved livelihoods, contingent on state assistance.

Her views on the region’s ethnic composition are shaped by her nationalist ideology, which differentiates between those she considers locals, primarily Sindhis, and others such as Punjabis, Saraikis, Pashtuns, and Afghan refugees, whom she regards as outsiders. This perspective informs her observations on how migration patterns affect community dynamics.

Salma has noted incidents highlighting ethnic tensions in the area. One instance involved a conflict between climate migrants at Jamali Pul camp and local Afghan Basti residents, sparked by accusations of harassment of women. The situation escalated over three days and was eventually mediated by community elders from both groups. Another incident she described involved a dispute between two rickshaw drivers, one Sindhi and one Pashtun, with Salma choosing to travel with the Sindhi driver. She pointed out that the transport sector is often dominated by Pashtun drivers, reflecting broader patterns of migration and employment within the city.

Salma addressed the safety concerns faced by displaced communities, noting that it is the flood victims who are most vulnerable and exposed to risks. "It’s not the locals who face threats; it’s the flood victims themselves who face challenges," she stated, emphasizing the insecurity experienced by those who have lost their homes.

Salma Junejo’s work focuses on supporting marginalized groups, particularly women and displaced individuals, through direct assistance and community initiatives. Her activities highlight the complexities surrounding ethnic relations, migration, and resource distribution in an urban setting, providing a detailed account of the challenges and responses during times of crisis.