Buner is a green, hilly district between Swat and Swabi, known for the shrine of Pir Baba, its marble quarries and its terraced fields of wheat and maize. In August 2025 it became known across Pakistan for a darker reason, when a cloudburst sent torrents through its valleys and swept away homes, shops and whole families. Many people who now search for an NGO in Buner are still trying to recover: a house that has to be rebuilt, a shop that was lost, children who lost a parent, or loans taken to survive the months after.
Every tehsil of Buner, from Gagra to Chagharzai, can reach Peace and Humanity Welfare Organization (PHWO). It does not run an office, relief camp, centre or team there. Its only office is in Larkana, Sindh, and families in Buner reach PHWO online, through Message PHWO in a free PHWO account, or through a volunteer. There is no charge for any service. Volunteers check every case; if the loss is confirmed and something can be done, it is arranged, but nobody is promised a particular result.
A fully rural district of large households
Buner District had 1,016,869 people at the 2023 Census, on 1,865 square kilometres (PBS 2023 district results). Remarkably, the census recorded no urban population at all: every resident was counted as rural. Households averaged 8.5 people. Pashto is the mother tongue of about 96 percent of residents, with a small Hindko-speaking group (PBS Table 11).
With no large town, people depend on small bazaars such as Daggar, Sawari and Pir Baba for shopping, treatment and paperwork.
The floods of August 2025
On 14 and 15 August 2025, extreme rain over Buner turned streams into walls of water. The UN’s humanitarian reports listed Buner among the worst-hit districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with many lives lost, destroyed houses, schools and health facilities and thousands of dead livestock (ReliefWeb situation report, 20 August 2025).
Recovery takes much longer than the headlines. Families that lost an earner, cattle or a shop may still be in debt for rebuilding. If this describes your household, apply through Request help. Send photos of the damage, any official survey slip or compensation papers, and explain what has been received and what is still missing. Losses from disasters are assessed together with ration, medical bills, fees and rent.
Marble, farms and migrant work
Buner’s white marble is cut in quarries and processed in small units along the valley roads. It is dangerous work, with dust, heavy blocks and little protection, and injuries are common. Other families farm small terraced plots, keep buffaloes and goats, or send sons to Karachi and the Gulf.
If an earner has been injured in a quarry, attach the hospital papers and explain how the family is managing. Buner youngsters who want to study or earn online often ask for a laptop or smartphone. Marble workers’ sons and daughters might also look at the training areas in Programmes.
How to apply online to an NGO in Buner
- Open Request help or message PHWO from your free PHWO account.
- Include a live photo of yourself; writing in Pashto is fine.
- If your papers were lost in the flood, say so. Explain what you can instead, and send photos of whatever remains.
- Answer if a volunteer calls to confirm details.
After any disaster, people sometimes pretend to collect money or lists for charities. PHWO has no fees at all; anyone collecting money in its name is not acting for it.
Legal questions after loss
Buner’s district and sessions courts, at Daggar, deal with family, civil and criminal matters; the next step up is the high court bench serving Malakand. After deaths in a disaster, families often face questions about succession certificates, inheritance shares, guardianship of orphaned children and widows’ rights. Land boundaries washed away by floods can also lead to disputes.
In Free legal aid, upload whatever papers survived and tell the story briefly. Volunteer advocates will explain your options. No FIR is needed. Guardianship and custody questions, and cases with hearings coming very soon, are read first. PHWO cannot promise court representation. The Buner district bar is another place to ask for help. Widows who need a succession certificate to claim a bank balance, a pension or compensation can ask volunteers which papers the court usually wants.
Public services people in Buner can use
- District Headquarters Hospital Daggar for treatment; serious cases are often referred to Swat, Mardan or Peshawar.
- Rescue 1122 for floods and emergencies; 15 for police.
- BISP: flood-hit women can check Kafaalat by sending the CNIC to 8171, or on bisp.gov.pk.
- Buner’s zakat committee for official zakat.
- Compensation and relief departments listed on kp.gov.pk.
Helping Buner rebuild
Bunerwals in Karachi, the Gulf and elsewhere who want to help rebuild may Donate, or use Sponsor a case to stand behind one flood-hit household. Zakat and Sadaqah given through PHWO go in full to deserving people. Lawyers, teachers who can fill forms for neighbours, and overseas fundraisers are welcome as a Volunteer, earning a certificate, a letter of appreciation and an experience letter.
Public services in Buner you can also use
- District and Sessions Courts Buner (Daggar)Family, civil and criminal cases
- District Bar Association BunerReferral to advocates
- District Headquarters Hospital DaggarGovernment hospital
- Rescue 1122Dial 1122
- PoliceDial 15
- BISP office BunerSMS CNIC to 8171
- District Zakat Committee BunerGovernment zakat
These are public or independent services, listed to help you. They are not part of PHWO.
Frequently asked questions
The water took our house near Pir Baba in August 2025. Is it too late to ask?
Yes. Send photos and explain what support you have received so far. The request is assessed, and no result is promised.
Is PHWO running a relief camp in Buner?
No. PHWO has no office, camp or team in Buner. Its only office is in Larkana, Sindh.
Our documents were lost in the water. Can we apply without them?
Explain what was lost and send what you can. Volunteers will tell you what else may help verify the request.
My brother died in the flood and left young children. Who becomes their guardian?
Send the details through Free legal aid. Volunteer advocates will explain guardianship and inheritance steps.
I work in a marble unit and hurt my hand. Can I ask for help?
Yes. Attach your medical papers and explain how your family is managing.