Japan Signs Grant Agreement for Flood Protection and Dike Improvement on Indus River in Sindh

Islamabad, September 7, 2026 — Japan has extended a grant of 2.6 billion Japanese Yen to Pakistan for the Project for Flood Protection and Dike Improvement on the Indus River in Sindh Province, aiming to protect approximately 790,000 residents in the flood-prone Larkana region from future flood disasters.

Background

Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to flooding, with the 2022 floods standing as the most devastating in the country’s history. The Larkana region of Sindh Province is among the areas most at risk of large-scale flood damage, making dike reinforcement and riverbank protection a critical priority for regional flood resilience. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe due to global warming, proactive disaster prevention measures — rather than reactive relief — have become increasingly central to Japan’s development cooperation approach in disaster-prone countries like Pakistan.

Since the 2022 floods, the Government of Japan has remained committed to supporting Pakistan’s recovery and reconstruction, with this project representing a continuation of that broader assistance aimed at building long-term resilience rather than only responding after disasters occur.

Signing Ceremony

Notes concerning the grant were signed and exchanged between H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, in Islamabad on September 7, 2026. Subsequently, the Grant Agreement for the project was signed and exchanged between Mr. Sugawara Takayuki, Senior Representative of the JICA Pakistan Office, and Ms. Sabina Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Project Details

The project aims to reduce the risk of dike breaches and associated economic losses through reinforcement of the dike in the target section of the Larkana region. Planned works include riverbank erosion protection and dike reinforcement, using a stronger concrete-based embankment construction method that remains relatively rare in Pakistan. This enhanced design is expected to further mitigate the risk of embankment breaches, improving flood resilience in the target area.

The project is expected to reduce flood risks for approximately 790,000 residents, while also reducing inundation areas and flood-related economic losses in the region. Beyond protecting lives, the initiative is designed to safeguard local communities, agricultural land, and infrastructure from future flood disasters.

Statements from Officials

Ambassador Akamatsu emphasized Japan’s disaster-prevention philosophy, stating: “In 2022, Pakistan experienced the most devastating flood in its history. To support the nation’s recovery and reconstruction, the Government of Japan has been fully committed to providing vital assistance. Japan places a strong emphasis on conducting practical disaster prevention measures taken decisively before natural disasters actually occur.” He added that Japan recognizes the project as a vital initiative aligned with Pakistan’s own planning and policy efforts, expressing hope that it would provide reassurance to the people of Pakistan as a reliable safeguard against future floods.

Mr. Sugawara Takayuki of JICA Pakistan Office noted that under the project, the dike would be rehabilitated with concrete reinforcement — an approach that, while relatively rare in Pakistan and requiring higher initial investment costs, is anticipated to deliver more sustainable and long-lasting development impacts. He said: “This project is not just about building stronger dikes. It is about protecting lives, safeguarding livelihoods, and building a more resilient Sindh Province for future generations.”

Conclusion

The signing of this grant agreement marks a concrete step in Japan’s ongoing support for Pakistan’s disaster resilience, applying lessons from Japan’s own extensive experience in flood management to one of Sindh’s most flood-vulnerable regions. By strengthening the Indus River’s flood protection infrastructure through durable, concrete-based dike reinforcement, the project aims to reduce future flood damage and economic losses for hundreds of thousands of residents, while contributing to Pakistan’s broader efforts to build a more disaster-resilient society along the flood-prone Indus River basin.