The frustration that millions of victims of the Pakistan floods are feeling came to a head in one of the country's poorest provinces, a Belfast charity worker in Sindh has said.
By David O'Hare in Pakistan
Hundreds of ordinary people blocked the Indus Highway, one of the main roads in Pakistan, in protest at what they see as the lack of support they are receiving from the government.
The protesters have been living rough for weeks after losing everything in the floods and many have received little or no assistance.
I was travelling on the road with one of Trócaire's partners and was caught up in the protest.
The people here are very angry and believe they are being ignored or forgotten. They blocked the road with stones and their bodies out of desperation.
They said they wouldn't move until the government did something to help them and their families. There is anger here, but there is more fear and frustration.
At no time did I feel threatened. In fact, the people were happy to articulate their concerns for us.
Trócaire is working with some of the most vulnerable people in this area. We have been funding rescue operations through our partner PFF - as well as giving people emergency food rations, water, shelter and hygiene kits.
Unfortunately the needs far outstrip the resources at the minute, because the scale of this disaster is so immense.
Mustafa Mirani works for PFF and was also in the car.
"These people don't know what to do. Most of them have lost their homes and livelihoods and don't know how they and their families will cope in the coming months," he said.
"They are angry at the government for what they see as a very slow response.
"The truth is that this disaster has overwhelmed the capacity of the government to respond. With Trócaire's help, we will continue to do what we can for as many people as possible."
PFF has been at the forefront of the rescue operation in Sindh and has managed to reach and evacuate hundreds of families. Trócaire funded the training for many of the people carrying out the rescues.
PFF is a widely respected and influential organisation in this part of Pakistan and it was Mustafa Mirani who finally managed to broker a solution to the impasse on the road.
He acted as a mediator between the protestors and the local district police chief and got a commitment from the police that they would send help to the people if they reopened the road.
The protestors were happy with this commitment and the barricades were removed.
The irony of this situation hit us as we drove past the queuing traffic.
We passed one of PFF's boats which was being transported further down the road to help people still trapped by the floodwaters. It was a reminder that this emergency is still very much alive and people need help everywhere you look.
David O'Hare works for Trócaire in Belfast. His updates from Pakistan are being serialised for UTV's website. More information on the relief effort in Pakistan, including how to donate, can be found on Trócaire's website.
© UTV News