Karachi’s recent cold wave has resulted in 13 fatalities over the last six weeks, with many victims being homeless or drug addicts, reports the Chhipa Foundation.
Chhipa Foundation spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid Hussain said that since December 2024, Karachi has seen 43 deaths—42 men and one woman—from drug overdoses. Over 13 of these deaths may be due to cold exposure.
Hussain said, “These were mostly drug addicts without blankets, mattresses, or warm clothing. In an attempt to stay warm, they used excessive drugs and tried to sleep in exposed areas like under bridges and on pavements. This lack of insulation, combined with drug overdoses and severe cold, likely led to their deaths.”
He noted that the foundation buries the unidentified bodies found on city pavements at its own expense. Hussain highlighted this year’s exceptionally harsh winter in Karachi, which poses significant risks to hundreds of homeless individuals sleeping outside without proper protection.
He called on philanthropists to donate blankets, mattresses, and warm clothing to help protect the homeless. “The Chhipa Foundation is committed to protecting the homeless from severe weather, but we urgently need more support to sustain our efforts,” said Hussain.
