WFP, Pakistan Launch Lifesaving Climate Resilience Project to Protect Flood-Hit KP Districts

Climate Resilience Project in KP has taken center stage in Pakistan’s ongoing battle against climate change disasters. With over 100 lives already lost to floods and landslides during the early 2025 monsoon, this new $9.8 million initiative offers a lifesaving response to the increasing threat of extreme weather in vulnerable districts.

Why Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Needs Urgent Action

The project targets Buner and Shangla, two mountainous districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that are frequently hit by torrential rains, flash floods, and deadly landslides. The climate resilience project in KP aims to directly benefit over 1.6 million people in these disaster-prone areas.

In 2022, catastrophic floods caused over $1.5 billion in damage in KP alone, submerging a third of Pakistan. The country is still recovering. With climate events intensifying, early warning, rapid response, and long-term planning are not luxuries—they are survival tools.

$9.8M Funding: Backed by the Green Climate Fund

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has provided a USD 9.8 million grant (approximately PKR 2.7 billion), administered by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan. The project was formally launched at a high-level workshop in Islamabad.

This joint initiative aligns with Pakistan’s Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Plan, focusing on strengthening local capacity while reducing vulnerability to disasters.

Key Features of the Climate Resilience Project in KP

The project brings several cutting-edge interventions to the table:

Installation of Early Warning Systems

• Climate monitoring stations

• River level surveillance technology

• Community alert systems

These tools will forecast extreme weather and help prevent large-scale loss of life and property.

Community Training & Education

Local communities will receive training to:

• Understand early warnings

• Execute safe evacuations

• Protect their livelihoods and homes

Institutional Strengthening

District governments, emergency teams, and disaster response agencies will receive:

• Technical equipment

• Training

• Simulation drills

This ensures faster and coordinated emergency response.

Workshop Highlights and National Collaboration

The inaugural workshop in Islamabad brought together federal and provincial stakeholders including:

• Ministry of Climate Change

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA-KP)

• Planning & Development Departments

These stakeholders discussed strategic goals, implementation frameworks, and community inclusion strategies.

Voices from the Field: Leadership Insights

Sameera Sheikh, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Climate Change, emphasized:

“Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Projects like this are essential to protect our flood- and landslide-prone communities.”

Dr. Ehtisham ul Haq, Chief of International Development, Government of KP, stated:

“This project is not just about emergency response. It is about long-term development and resilience, especially in underserved regions.”

Coco Ushiyama, WFP Pakistan Country Director, echoed the broader impact:

“Climate change is a driver of hunger and food insecurity. This project goes beyond safety—it helps in local planning and institutional development.”

A Reminder of Past Climate Tragedies

This initiative gains added urgency due to:

• 100+ deaths in early 2025 monsoon season (as per NDMA)

• The 2022 floods, which left:

  • 1,700+ people dead

  • 33 million affected

  • USD 30 billion in damages nationally

KP was one of the hardest-hit regions, exposing gaps in early warning systems, rescue coordination, and infrastructure planning. This climate resilience project in KP is designed to plug those gaps.

Conclusion: A Step Toward a Safer Future

Pakistan faces a climate emergency that demands urgent, evidence-based, and community-led responses. The newly launched climate resilience project in KP serves as a powerful step forward in protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable regions.

As monsoons grow deadlier each year, the collaboration between WFP, the Government of Pakistan, and the Green Climate Fund stands as a model of proactive climate governance.

Through modern technology, community empowerment, and institutional support, the project promises not just survival—but sustainable growth and resilience.

External Links :

• Green Climate Fund

• WFP Pakistan

• NDMA Pakistan

• UN Sustainable Development Goals

Internal Links:

• Pakistan Climate Policy Explained

• 2022 Flood Recovery Report

• How Early Warning Systems Work