Ajnala and Neighbouring Villages Find Relief and Dignity Amid Floodwaters

After our initial work in Dera Baba Nanak, our journey carried us further into the flood-ravaged belt of Punjab, this time towards Ajnala and its neighbouring villages. What awaited us was devastation on a scale that words can scarcely capture. The familiar sights of bustling roads and lush farmlands had been swallowed by vast stretches of water and mud. Entire landscapes had turned unrecognizable, leaving communities cut off from the outside world.

Our vehicles could only take us so far before the roads disappeared under sheets of floodwater. Cars had to be left behind, replaced by tractors and trolleys, the only lifeline to reach families stranded in these marooned villages. The journey was slow and arduous, but every passing stretch reinforced why it was necessary.

Ajnala and Neighbouring Villages Find Relief and Dignity Amid Floodwaters
(September 10th, 2025)

When we finally arrived, the scenes that unfolded were heartbreaking. Families were crammed into makeshift shelters, stripped of the homes and livelihoods they had built over generations. Children clung silently to their mothers, their eyes wide with fear, uncertainty, and hunger. Women, already bearing the weight of loss, now faced the additional burden of surviving without even the most basic essentials.

It was this reality that shaped our relief effort. While food distribution remained critical, we recognized that true relief goes beyond survival. It must also restore dignity and comfort. With this belief, we carried supplies often overlooked in traditional disaster responses but profoundly tied to health and humanity: women’s underwear, sanitary napkins, mosquito coils, Odomos, mosquito nets toothbrushes, soaps, and essential medicines to shield families from the relentless swarms of mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant waters.

Each of these items, though small in themselves, carried immense meaning. A mosquito net offered not only protection from disease but also a sense of safety. A packet of sanitary napkins gave women the confidence to face their days without shame. A bar of soap, humble as it may be, restored a sense of cleanliness and self-respect.

One woman’s words still echo within us: “Food keeps us alive, but these small things make us feel human again.” In that quiet, heartfelt statement lay the true essence of relief work. It is not only about keeping people alive but about ensuring they feel seen, valued, and dignified even in their darkest hours.

The floods in Punjab have left scars that will not heal quickly. The loss of homes, crops, and livelihoods means recovery will take far longer than the floodwaters take to recede. Yet, amidst the wreckage, we also saw something extraordinary—resilience, solidarity, and hope. Families shared what little they had, neighbours looked out for each other, and communities stood together with remarkable strength.

Our journey into Ajnala and the neighbouring villages was not just about transporting supplies through flooded fields on tractors and trolleys; it was about reaching hearts, restoring hope, and reminding people that they are not alone in this struggle.

Click this link to see more photos from the visit

Through our “Emergency Relief Initiative: Let’s Pray for and Help Punjab” campaign, Sahyog Sanstha has made a commitment that goes beyond short-term aid. For us, this is not a one-time intervention but a long-term partnership with affected communities. We recognize that recovery will require sustained support, and we are determined to stand by these families for as long as it takes — whether that means continuing to provide hygiene supplies, supporting healthcare needs, or helping rebuild lives and livelihoods in the months to come.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors, whose compassion has flowed in from every part of the world. Your contributions have not only delivered relief but also restored dignity, health, and hope where it was most needed.

For Sahyog Sanstha, relief is more than delivering aid. It is a to uphold dignity, protect health, and strengthen humanity, no matter how long the road to recovery may be.

Tractor and Trolly required

The turnout was amazing - lots more help still needed