Architect Yasmeen Lari delivers affordable homes in flood-hit Pakistan
Lari's houses were devised to be disaster-resilient, environmentally friendly, and quicker and easier to erect
By Eastern EyeMay 03, 2023
In flood-hit southeastern Pakistan, villagers are trading tents and tarpaulins provided by aid agencies for local materials such as lime, mud and bamboo to build their own low-cost and water-resistant homes as part of a post-disaster recovery rethink.
They have been designed by Yasmeen Lari – Pakistan’s first certified female architect and who this month won the 2023 Royal Gold Medal from The Royal Institute of British Architects for her relief architecture. About 1,000 such houses have been built in Sindh province following unprecedented floods last year that submerged about a third of the country and killed at least 1,700 people.
While traditional mud huts are vulnerable to extreme weather and building concrete homes is expensive and high in carbon emissions, Lari’s houses were devised to be disaster-resilient, environmentally friendly, and quicker and easier to erect.
In Kewal Kohli, a village in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, former schoolteacher Rano Kewal’s home was one of 1.4 million houses destroyed in the climate change-fuelled catastrophe last year, according to government data.
When his mud hut washed away, Kewal and 35 members of his family were forced
to live in tents for a month, until the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan – an NGO co-founded and headed by Lari – helped the 28-year-old build a new house.
“We will be able to survive the next floods,” said Kewal, who has since helped
to build 200 similar homes in four nearby villages, with materials and training provided by the NGO.
Yasmeen Lari (Photo: Anam Baig)
Lari used to design modern, glitzy buildings - from hotels and offices to government headquarters – made from concrete, glass and steel, but turned to sustainable relief architecture in 2005 after an earthquake devastated much of Kashmir.
She said her NGO has helped survivors of natural disasters in Pakistan to build about 55,000 homes, 4,500 of which have been erected since the floods that started last June. Her aim is to ultimately provide homes for at least 350,000 households.
The 82-year-old voiced her frustration with the United Nations’ humanitarian system and institutions like the World Bank for giving out cash, grants and relief “without building the capacity of the people” – and said international donors tended to erect concrete structures after disasters in Pakistan.
“These international colonial charity models are a complete failure as they treat the poor as victims, turning them into supplicants... (with) no attempt at nurturing or encouraging the hidden capabilities of the affected people,” Lari added.
Many NGOs and other local and international bodies involved in post-flood reconstruction still champion permanent brick and mortar houses as the most effective way of protecting the country’s poorest citizens from disasters.
A spokeswoman for the World Bank in Pakistan, Mariam Altaf, said the institution was aware of the need for more sustainable and affordable housing options, especially those that can create local employment opportunities and support local economies. However, Altaf said permanent brick and mortar houses “are more resilient housing options than mud-based ones as they will be better able to withstand natural disasters”.
This was echoed by Najaf Khan Malik, chief operation officer of the Sindh People’s Housing Foundation (SPHF) - which was established by the Sindh government to build new homes in flood-hit areas.
Malik said the SPHF wanted to use “flood resilient sustainable construction material” like burnt bricks and cement, but avoid using mud – citing its own study which found that 75 per cent of the two million homes washed away in Sindh were made of mud.
The organisation was aware of Lari’s work and was looking into incorporating innovative and sustainable methods that are “easily adoptable by the affected communities”, he added.
At first glance, the homes designed by Lari resemble traditional village architecture known in Pakistan as chauhras. Their seemingly simple exteriors mask innovative designs and are inspired by indigenous building techniques from rural Pakistan, but re-engineered to not only stop the houses from being flooded, but also make them more sustainable and green. The prefabricated bamboo structures - which sit on raised platforms - have limehardened mud walls that keep out water, while the roofs consist of bamboo covered with straw matting, a layer of tarpaulin, and pozzolana, a waterproofing material.
“Except for bamboo, which needs to be bought from the nearest town or city, the straw, earth and grass for matting are procured from around villages and freely available,” Lari said.
Lime absorbs carbon dioxide from air and bamboo sequesters carbon as it grows, making the homes good for the environment, she said. The houses take a week to build, compared to about three weeks for mud huts and up to two months for permanent cement homes. They can be built for under $87, which is fewer than a tenth of the cost of cement structures, according to Lari’s NGO.
It is teaching villagers to build their own homes through workshops and has released a series of tutorials on YouTube.
“Every one of the vulnerable should learn to build safe structures so that they are not displaced and they are able to fend for themselves (when a disaster strikes),” said Lari.
A model of a woman’s centre in Darya Khan, Pakistan, by Yasmeen Lari at an exhibition in London in 2016 (Photo: Getty Images)
Hira Zuberi, a Karachi-based independent architect, said she had studied Lari’s designs and highlighted the homes were easy to repair and replace, and that the materials could be transported and reused easily if a household decides to move. “Most important, she is involving the rural communities in the process so there is a sense of ownership,” she said.
While Lari said she had discussions with organisations such as Islamic Relief and Unicef, many NGOs in Pakistan still prefer cement homes when it comes to post-disaster housing.
For example, Ashfaque Soomro, the executive director of the Research and Development Foundation – which is building shelters in Sindh – said such homes had the best chance of withstanding floods, based on the NGO’s experience of previous disasters.
The foundation’s cement houses cost between $872 (£700) and $1,245 (£999), and sometimes reuse debris to be less carbon-intensive, he added.
Noman Ahmed, head of the architecture department at the NED University of Engineering and Technology, said he believed house reconstruction could be done with a combination of earth, bamboo, cement and concrete - and stressed
the importance of mapping flooding patterns to avoid rebuilding in risky areas.
“It will help us identify ‘no construction zones’ where construction should be prohibited,” he said in an interview.
As architects, analysts and NGOs consider the future of building back better after disasters, residents in Sindh province’s Pono village – where Lari-designed homes were constructed before the 2022 floods – say the houses have proved their resilience. “We remained dry, as did our belongings, despite the unforgiving rain,” said Dhani Khumo, one of the residents.
India began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the UAE, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls on Thursday. (Photo: Getty Images)
AN INDIA-PAKISTAN cricket match always draws attention, and emotions are set to run high when the two teams meet on Sunday in the Asia Cup. The contest comes months after the neighbours engaged in a four-day military conflict in May.
Bilateral cricket ties between the two countries have been suspended for years, and the arch-rivals now face each other only in multi-nation tournaments. The upcoming Group A fixture will be their first meeting since the May clashes, which nearly escalated into a full-scale war.
Political relations have worsened since then, with some former Indian cricketers calling on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to boycott the match. The boycott call has been set aside, and both teams have said they will not ease up on aggression when they meet.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha have made clear they want their teams to play hard. India, the current 20-overs world champions, are also looking to defend their Asia Cup title.
"Once the BCCI said they are aligned with the government, we are here to play," India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Friday. "Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don't think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket and that's what we focus on."
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson also stressed focus, though he acknowledged the intensity of the occasion.
"Being part of a highly-charged event is going to be exciting," Hesson said this week.
"From my perspective ... it is about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand. That will be no different.
"We know India are obviously hugely confident and rightfully so. But we are very much focused on improving as a team day-by-day and not getting ahead of ourselves."
India look the strongest side in the eight-team event, bolstered by the return of pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batter Shubman Gill. They began their campaign with a nine-wicket win against the United Arab Emirates, bowling them out for 57 in 13.1 overs before chasing the target in just 27 balls on Thursday.
Pakistan started with a win against Oman but their batting has been inconsistent. They are without former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan but recently won a T20 tri-series in the UAE that also featured Afghanistan.
"We have been playing good cricket in the last two-three months and we just have to play good cricket," Pakistan captain Salman said on Friday. "If we can execute our plans for a long enough period, we are good enough to beat any team."
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The event, which Robinson has promoted for months, is being billed by him as the 'UK's biggest free speech festival.' (Photo: Getty Images)
More than 1,600 officers deployed across London on Saturday
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson to lead "Unite the Kingdom" march
Anti-racism groups to stage counter-protests in Whitehall
Police impose conditions on routes and timings of demonstrations
LONDON police will deploy more than 1,600 officers across the city on Saturday as rival demonstrations take place, including a rally organised by far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and a counter-protest by anti-racism campaigners.
The "Unite the Kingdom" march, called by Robinson, is due to gather near Waterloo Bridge and head towards the southern end of Whitehall for a rally.
The event, which Robinson has promoted for months, is being billed by him as the "UK's biggest free speech festival." He has urged supporters to join "for freedom, for your children, and for Charlie Kirk," referring to the American conservative activist shot dead this week in Utah.
Robinson added in a message: "Bring your smiles, flags, and patriotic pride. No masks, open alcohol, or violence." He said the event will also feature far-right figures from Europe and North America. Among those expected are French politician Eric Zemmour, Petr Bystron of Germany’s AfD party, commentator Katie Hopkins, and Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson.
Stand Up To Racism will stage a counter-protest at the other end of Whitehall. Organisers have called Robinson’s event "a festival of hate."
Police security measures
The Metropolitan Police said barriers will be in place to keep the two groups apart. Around 1,000 officers will be specifically on duty for the marches, with 500 reinforcements drafted in from other forces. Police have imposed conditions on the routes and timings, requiring both demonstrations to end by the evening.
"We will approach them as we do any other protests, policing without fear or favour, ensuring people can exercise their lawful rights but being robust in dealing with incidents or offences should they occur," said Commander Clair Haynes, who is leading the operation.
The force said the policing plan also takes into account other large events on Saturday, including Premier League football matches and concerts.
Wider political context
A similar rally held by Robinson in July 2024 drew tens of thousands. He has said he expects hundreds of thousands to attend on Saturday.
The demonstration comes after months of tensions in Britain over immigration, freedom of speech, and government restrictions. More than 28,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats this year, with asylum claims reaching record levels.
Last month, the government banned the group Palestine Action, sparking large protests. Nearly 900 people were arrested at a London rally last Saturday against the ban. Critics have also accused authorities of targeting free speech, following the arrest of Irish writer Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport over online comments. Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded by urging police to focus on "the most serious issues," while Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley said laws should be changed so that officers are not "policing toxic culture wars debates."
Robinson’s background
Robinson, 42, has long been active in far-right movements in England. He has a string of criminal convictions but maintains a large online following.
His influence grew after his account on X was reinstated in late 2023 following Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform.
Musk has shared Robinson’s posts and previously called for his release from prison after an 18-month contempt of court sentence in 2023.
Actor Henry Cavill injured during training before filming began on Highlander.
The remake of the 1986 fantasy-action classic will now start production in 2026.
Cast includes Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan and Dave Bautista.
Film directed by Chad Stahelski for Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists.
Injury delays production
British actor Henry Cavill has suffered an injury during pre-production training for the remake of Highlander. The incident occurred just days before filming was due to begin, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As a result, production on the fantasy-action reboot has been pushed back and is now expected to begin in 2026.
Cavill’s career and commitment
Cavill, 42, is best known for playing Superman in Man of Steel, Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, and Sherlock Holmes in Netflix’s Enola Holmes films.
Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year, he described himself as “a lover of the original movies, for better or worse” and said he was training intensively for the role of the immortal Scottish warrior. “If you think you’ve seen me do sword work before, you haven’t seen anything yet,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
The nature of Cavill’s injury and how it occurred have not been disclosed.
Cast and creative team
The remake is being directed by Chad Stahelski, known for the John Wick series. The cast features Russell Crowe, who previously appeared alongside Cavill in Man of Steel, as well as Karen Gillan, former Doctor Who star, and Dave Bautista, recognised for roles in Dune and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
Revisiting a cult classic
The new film revisits the 1986 Highlander, which starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery. The story centres on a centuries-old conflict between immortal warriors.
The original film spawned sequels including Highlander II: The Quickening (1991), Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994), and Highlander: Endgame (2000), as well as a television spin-off series launched in 1992.
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Coldplay light up Wembley with a record 10-night run
Coldplay end their record-breaking 10-night run at Wembley Stadium
The shows are part of their global Music of the Spheres Tour
The tour has now sold over 12 million tickets worldwide
Friday’s show was rescheduled after a transport strike in London
Coldplay have celebrated their record-breaking achievement at Wembley Stadium with a dazzling finale, making headlines as they set a new benchmark for live music. The British band’s 10-night stint marked the longest run of concerts ever at the venue, cementing their legacy while also driving massive global interest in their Wembley Stadium record. The marathon shows form part of their ongoing Music of the Spheres Tour, which has already sold more than 12 million tickets worldwide.
Coldplay light up Wembley with a record 10-night run Instagram/coldplay
How many Wembley Stadium shows did Coldplay play?
Coldplay performed ten consecutive nights at Wembley, setting an unprecedented record at the UK’s largest stadium. The run surpassed previous milestones by artists such as Taylor Swift and Take That. Their run included rescheduled dates after a strike by London transport workers delayed one performance, but fans returned in force for the glittering finale.
Singer Chris Martin thanked fans from the stage, saying, “In return we’re going to play a show fifteen times better than any show we’ve ever played before.” The crowd of over 90,000 sang along to hits like Paradise, The Scientist, and Yellow, creating a sea of LED wristbands and confetti that lit up the stadium.
The concerts combined theatrical spectacle with emotional intimacy, which many fans and critics say set them apart from typical stadium shows. Each performance featured laser lights, giant inflatable planets, raining confetti, and LED wristbands that synchronised with the music to turn the audience into part of the show itself.
Martin frequently acknowledged individual fans, even those high in the top tiers, helping to dismantle the barrier between performer and audience. Venezuelan youth musicians from the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra joined Coldplay onstage, as did Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna, who delivered soaring vocals on We Pray.
How successful is Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour?
The Music of the Spheres Tour has become the highest-attended tour in history, with more than 12 million tickets sold globally since it began in 2022. The Wembley shows added to that tally while proving Coldplay’s status as one of the world’s biggest live acts.
Ticket prices ranged from around £60 (₹6,600) for standard seats to over £300 (₹33,000) for premium packages, and all ten nights sold out. The group have confirmed that the tour will continue after a brief hiatus, with Martin hinting on stage that they will resume “somewhere in southern Africa in about 18 months.”
Chris Martin performs on a stop of the band's Music of the Spheres world tour at Allegiant StadiumGetty Images
Who holds the Wembley Stadium record now?
Coldplay now hold the all-time record for the most shows by a single artist at Wembley Stadium, with 16 total performances across their 2022 and 2025 runs. The previous record was held jointly by Taylor Swift and Take That, who each played eight nights.
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs on a stop of the band's Music of the Spheres world tourGetty Images
Their achievement just reinforces the band’s enduring popularity 25 years into their career, showing how they continue to draw new generations of fans. For many, the Wembley residency has, in fact, redefined what a stadium concert can feel like, less about spectacle alone and a lot more about shared joy.
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Friends describe Sarm, 41, as a “free spirit” who embraced adventure
CCTV footage released to the BBC shows Sarm Heslop boarding a dinghy with boyfriend Ryan Bane on the night she vanished.
Six hours later, she was reported missing from his yacht in the US Virgin Islands.
Her body has never been found, and her disappearance remains unsolved.
Police say the timeline provided by Bane is inconsistent with verified CCTV evidence.
Friends and family continue to press for answers, calling for a murder investigation.
The last sighting
Newly released CCTV footage shows British woman Sarm Heslop and her boyfriend Ryan Bane leaving a bar in St John, US Virgin Islands, on 7 March 2021. The couple can be seen boarding a dinghy and motoring into the Caribbean night, heading for Bane’s yacht, Siren Song.
Six hours later, Sarm was reported missing. Despite an extensive search, she has never been found.
Who was Sarm Heslop?
Friends describe Sarm, 41, as a “free spirit” who embraced adventure. A former flight attendant, she left the UK in 2019 to sail across the Atlantic and explore the Caribbean. She later began working as a chef on Bane’s yacht, having met him in 2020.
Timeline inconsistencies
Bane told the US Coast Guard the couple returned to the yacht at 22:00. However, CCTV timestamps confirm they left Cruz Bay dock at 20:45 and would have reached the yacht by 21:00. The missing hour has never been accounted for.
Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Mario Brooks said the timeline raised suspicions and reiterated that Bane remains the only person of interest in the case.
Questions over the response
Bane reported Sarm missing at around 02:00 after claiming to wake and find her gone. Police say they told him to call the Coast Guard immediately, but he waited nine hours before making the call.
Experts stress that minutes are critical in such cases. “Waiting nine hours is decreasing the possibility of finding a person in the water,” said Commander Jan League of the US Coast Guard.
Refusal to cooperate
Bane has declined to be formally questioned by police, invoking his constitutional rights. He also blocked a forensic search of his yacht. Five weeks later, he left the Virgin Islands and has not returned.
Through his lawyer, Bane maintains he had no role in Sarm’s disappearance and believes she either fell overboard or drowned while swimming.
Concerns over past behaviour
Bane’s ex-wife, Cori Stevenson, described a violent assault during their marriage, for which he served a 60-day sentence. She alleged he displayed “rages” that left her fearing for her life.
His lawyer acknowledged the conviction but insisted there was no evidence Bane was violent towards Sarm.
Family’s search for answers
Sarm’s family and friends want the case reclassified as a no-body murder investigation, which they say would allow police greater powers. Her mother Brenda has accepted she may never see her daughter again but continues to push for justice.
“We all deserve to know what happened to her and to bring her home,” she said.
What next?
The US Virgin Islands Police say they remain committed to pursuing all leads, but the case is at a dead end without further evidence.
The BBC documentary Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm explores the unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance.