Urgent Need for Climate-Resilient Livestock Shelters as Pakistan’s Monsoons Threaten Rural Survival

Climate-resilient livestock shelters are increasingly becoming a lifeline for farmers in Pakistan’s flood-prone regions. As the monsoon season intensifies across the country, rural communities—particularly in Sindh—are once again bracing for destruction.

For farmers still reeling from the catastrophic 2022 floods, the arrival of more rain isn’t just about water—it’s about survival or ruin. Without proper livestock protection, families risk losing their only means of income and sustenance.

Rasool Bux’s Story: A Farmer on the Edge

In the heart of Khairpur district, Rasool Bux, a 52-year-old farmer, watches the skies with anxiety. The memory of 2022’s devastating floods lingers, when rains submerged his village, Gul Muhammad Sanjrani, wiping out homes, crops, and livestock.

“We stayed on the roadside. Many of our animals died. We had no mosquito nets and spent nights in sadness,” Bux recalled.

Today, Bux is one of the lucky few to benefit from a climate-resilient livestock shelter built through a collaboration between the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) and Malteser International. These shelters, raised above flood level, now house his two buffaloes and three cows.

“Our animals are at peace now,” he said. “We feel safer.”

Why Livestock Shelters Matter In Pakistan, livestock is more than just a source of milk or meat—it’s a survival asset, especially for landless farmers. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan (2025):

• Livestock supports over 8 million rural households.
• It contributes about 40% of rural income.
• It accounts for around 15% of Pakistan’s GDP.
• Even in a sluggish agricultural year, livestock grew by 4.7%, while the entire sector saw just 0.6% growth.

This underscores how crucial animal protection is during climate events. Without protective shelters, farmers lose their only means of recovery.

Local Solutions: Malteser and SRSO Interventions

To bridge this protection gap, local NGOs like Malteser International and SRSO are constructing small-scale, elevated livestock shelters across Khairpur.

These climate-resilient livestock shelters are made of bamboo, plastic, and mud—materials that are affordable and accessible. Raised approximately three feet above ground, the shelters also include canopy-style roofs to prevent water accumulation.

“Even 300-400 shelters per union council would not be enough,” said Muhammad Junaid Soomro, project engineer at SRSO.
“We are currently working in just 5 out of 89 union councils in Khairpur.”

Despite limited funding, these shelters are already making a tangible impact. However, scaling the project requires governmental intervention and climate-focused financing.

Policy Perspectives and the Role of IMF Climate Financing

In May 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved $1.4 billion under its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) for Pakistan. The goal is to enhance climate resilience through nationwide reforms.

However, the IMF clarified that the funding will not be allocated to specific projects like livestock shelters. Instead, it will support broader policy reforms in:

• Water management
• Irrigation infrastructure
• Groundwater depletion prevention
• Flood defense coordination between provinces and the federal government

“The RSF’s impact will eventually benefit flood-affected farmers indirectly,” said Mahir Binici, IMF’s resident representative in Pakistan.

Still, experts argue that allocating even a portion of RSF funds toward climate-resilient animal shelters would have immediate, life-saving impacts.

The Economic Backbone: Livestock as a “Living Bank”

Experts like Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, former Director of Operations at the Sindh Disaster Management Authority, stress that livestock is a “living bank” for rural communities.

“When land and crops vanish in floods, only animals remain. They are the first step to recovery,” he said.

The 2022 floods killed 1.1 million animals, pushing countless families into generational poverty. For many, these animals were their only form of wealth—a mobile, tradable, and nourishing asset.

Without investment in livestock protection, every new flood becomes a cycle of irreversible loss.

Conclusion: Call for Urgent, Scalable Climate Action

The climate crisis in Pakistan is not a future threat—it is a present emergency. Farmers like Rasool Bux serve as a stark reminder that resilience is not a luxury, but a necessity.

While local NGOs are building on-the-ground solutions with limited funds, a national strategy is urgently needed to scale climate-resilient livestock shelters across flood-prone regions.

“More such shelters should be built in our village,” Bux pleads. “Some people can afford them. Most cannot.”

To truly protect Pakistan’s rural economy, the government must ensure climate financing reaches those who need it most—the farmers whose animals mean survival.

Internal Link Suggestions:

• How the 2022 Floods Reshaped Pakistan’s Agriculture
• Monsoon Preparedness in Pakistan: A 2025 Strategy Guide

External DoFollow Links:

• IMF Resilience and Sustainability Facility
• Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025
• Malteser International Projects in Pakistan