[Pictorial] Volunteers make a temporary bridge in the Gojal Valley, Hunza

Pamir Times May 14, 2014

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Volunteers from Sanguine Foundation and local community started construction of the make-shift bridge

The KKH was washed away by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)

Gilgit, May 14: The people of Gojal Valley were left stranded when a Glaical Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) destroyed whatever remained of the Karakuram Highway. Hundreds of women, men and school going children were forced to wade through the icy cold glacial stream to move between Ghulkin, Hussaini and other villages further north.

People of all ages can be seen crossing the raging glacial stream.

This situation continued for more than a week. The suffering of the people was unbearable.

What followed was a wonderful initiative in which volunteers from the Sanguine Foundation, a local organized founded by four youth from the Ghulkin Village, along with some other volunteers from Ghulkin village, constructed a make-shift foot bridge. The Sanguine Foundation has been operating an ambulance service in the Gojal region fore more than a year.

These photographs depict the making of the make-shift bridge, which is saving the men, women and children of the Gojal Valley from walking in the icy cold and rough glacial water.

Gojal: Working under those conditions is very difficult. The glacial water is not only cold, it also bring along stones, pebbles and soil and the flow of water is very strong

The volunteers carried stones on their back to help build the walls of the bridge.

Gojal: Slowly and gradually the project proceeded and small walls were raised on both sides to balance some pieces of logs on it, to help people walk above the stream. The make-shift bridge may not be very safe, but is the best option available based on the resources. Above all, it is a symbol of resilience of the communities and the spirit of volunteerism which transcends personal and familial gains and is enshrined in the philosophy of humanity

Gojal: And finally, the bright faces of the volunteers tells the story of compassion, volunteerism and collective accomplishment, which is the backbone of the people living these beautiful but tough-to-live valleys

Pamir Times

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Pamir Times is the pioneering community news and views portal of Gilgit – Baltistan, Kohistan, Chitral and the surrounding mountain areas. It is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan and independent venture initiated by the youth.

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