Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir — In response to recent cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), local community action groups across several towns in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir rapidly mobilized emergency support networks to shelter and feed families displaced by the violence.
Though a ceasefire has now taken hold, the days of bombardment left dozens of families without homes or basic necessities. Grassroots emergency committees, particularly in towns like Sehnsa, Holar, and Sudhnoti, established temporary shelters, food distribution points, and blood donation networks in what residents are calling an unprecedented example of “people-powered relief.”
250+ Families Provided Shelter
In Sehnsa and Holar alone, over 150 families have been provided with immediate housing. Keys to 100 ready homes in Holar were handed over to an “Emergency Contact Committee,” which is also managing resource distribution. Sehnsa’s local committees arranged shelter for another 50 families, while simultaneously addressing urgent food shortages.
In neighboring Sudhnoti district, public action committees created similar emergency response structures. Other regions including Ali Sojal, Khai Gala, Tararkhal, Garala, and Pallandri have reported preparation of over 100 family shelters each.
These volunteer-run committees are also forming specialized units for managing food, essential supplies, and blood donations—a critical need in any future escalation.
Humanitarian Hotline Network
To streamline coordination, contact points were set up across affected regions. Citizens were urged to reach out for housing or food aid via dozens of volunteer coordinators. These include Rashid Naeem (03425438068), Tabrez (03435824098), Akmal (03464768308), and others across various zones. In Balouch, 100 additional shelters were arranged under the supervision of advocates and local leaders like Sardar Shamsheer (03465094760) and Faizan Fayaz (03439530180).
In high-altitude areas like Toli Peer and Srinagar Guest House, emergency hospitality has also been extended, particularly by guesthouse managers Sohail Ismail (03334620776) and Osama (03170891581), among others.
Civil Society’s Role in Wartime Response
These efforts highlight the critical role of community self-help in times of conflict, especially in regions like Kashmir where infrastructure is often limited and state response may be delayed. While the latest round of hostilities has calmed under the recent ceasefire, the preparedness and solidarity shown by local residents could serve as a model for future humanitarian response in conflict zones.
The committees remain active, and organizers say they are keeping shelters and aid on standby in case of any future flare-ups.
“This is not just about reacting to war—it’s about taking care of each other when no one else will,” said one local volunteer from Sehnsa.
