Islamabad: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Government of Pakistan and the Green Climate Fund, launched the Integrated Climate Risk Management for Strengthened Resilience to Climate project today through an inception workshop in Islamabad.
According to EMM, the initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with US$ 9.8 million, will directly benefit 1.6 million people in Buner and Shangla districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, two areas highly vulnerable to climate shocks.
Just two weeks into the 2025 monsoon season, Pakistan has already experienced deadly impacts, with over 100 lives lost due to heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In 2022, unprecedented monsoon floods submerged one-third of the country, with KP province alone suffering over US$ 1.5 billion in loss and damage. Within KP, Buner and Shangla face acute risks due to recurring flash floods, landslides, high poverty rates, and limited investment in climate adaptation.
Sameera Sheikh, Joint Secretary of the MoCC and EC, welcomed the initiative, noting its alignment with national priorities. Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, and the impacts are becoming more intense each year, Sheikh said. Initiatives like this are vital to help vulnerable communities in districts such as Buner and Shangla better prepare for and respond to climate shocks like floods and landslides.
The Government of KP deeply values the strong collaboration and joint governance established through this initiative, said Dr. Ehtisham Ulhaq, Chief of the International Development Section of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This project not only addresses immediate climate risks but also lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and opens doors to future climate finance for our most vulnerable communities.
Recurring climate shocks are a driver of hunger and malnutrition, threatening lives, livelihoods, and entire food systems, said Coco Ushiyama, WFP Pakistan Representative and Country Director. This project represents a multi-layered investment – not only in early warning systems and anticipatory action, but also in local adaptation planning and institutional capacity.
The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s national policies and KP’s disaster risk management frameworks. It supports GCF Strategic Plan 2024-2027 by addressing urgent adaptation needs in underserved areas, bridging critical capacity gaps in flood preparedness, and reinforcing community resilience.