Help Queer and Trans Flood Victims in Pakistan

Queer and trans people in Pakistan are an already marginalized group, and have been further marginalized by the devastating flooding that has displaced over 30 million people and left millions more hungry.

Major NGOs doing work on the ground have deliberately refused to provide food rations to queer and trans people because they are such a stigmatized community. Their isolation from mainstream society has meant getting them food rations, shelter, and healthcare has been exceptionally difficult.

Trans activists in Karachi have reached out to their networks of queer and trans people living in rural areas most affected by the flooding. This has been difficult work - getting communication from those who have limited access to cell phones and the internet has proven to be a lot of work. So far, activists have been able to reach 25 trans people have stepped forward and asked for aid through Direct Cash Transfers (DCT). This means that money that you donate will go directly to queer and trans people on the ground who need money for food, water, shelter, and clothing - necessary items for survival.

While - at the moment - food and water are available for those with money, the flooding in Pakistan has wrecked the entire economic system. Many trans people in rural Pakistan make their living through dance performances, alms collection, and the adult industry. These sources of income are now virtually nonexistant in areas affected by flooding. Additionally, with so much housing made uninhabitable, many queer and trans people have had to find shelter with one another, as they are not often welcome in their natal homes.

We anticipate that many other queer and trans people will also request aid once these donation channels prove to be trustworthy. We will start with the 25 we have been able to reach, and hope to expand this aid for many others.

You can support this campaign by donating and sharing it with others who would like to help queer and trans people in Pakistan.

Where will my money go?

Hafsa (see below for more information) will transfer money donated through this page to an organization called Actcept in Pakistan. You can find more information about Actcept here: https://www.facebook.com/ActToAccept/

Actcept has a proven track record of working with queer and trans people in previous disaster relief efforts and healthcare efforts. They will be relying on their contacts throughout the province of Sindh to distribute the funds to those who need it most.

What will the funds be used for?

Working with on the ground trans activists in Karachi, these funds will be distributed directly to the 25 people who have asked for aid. Rather than make food packages (as we do not have the charity support staff for this task at the moment), we are providing people who have requested aid with a direct cash transfer (DCT). This means the money will go to queer and trans people, no questions asked. They have listed their needs as: food, water, shelter, and clothing.

A note about organizer Hafsa Arain

Hafsa is an anthropologist studying queer and trans communities in Karachi, and has spent the last year conducting on-site field research. These communities have elicited her support for flood relief. The money that you donate here in US dollars will be transferred to Hafsa, who will be able to wire the money directly to trans activists in Karachi. This is the safest and quickest possible way to do this fundraising for minoritized Pakistanis, who do not have the privilege of being connected to major income streams through US-based tech economies.