Karachi: The European Union (EU) has officially launched its contribution to the Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. This initiative aims to bolster the Government of Sindh’s ability to withstand natural hazards and climate change-related risks while improving conditions for adaptive and gender-transformative social protection.

According to Press Information Department, the launch event, held at Avari Hotel in Karachi, gathered high-ranking government officials, international organizations, and civil society representatives. The attendees discussed strategies to move forward with the project, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities. Mr. Najam Ahmed Shah, Chairman of the Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, emphasized the province’s dedication to advancing social protection, particularly for girls and women, to foster gender equity and sustainable development.

Mr. Philipp Gross, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted the EU’s commitment to robust social protection systems that alleviate suffering and promote long-term development. The event also featured remarks from Dr. Ruediger Lotz, Consul General of Germany in Karachi, and Mr. Jeroen Williems, Head of Cooperation of the EU in Pakistan, along with representatives from local authorities and organizations. The expanded project aims to create systems that can effectively respond to climate-induced and socio-economic vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing resilience at national and local levels and promoting social cohesion and inclusive growth.