Islamabad, In response to the devastating floods that hit Pakistan, particularly the Sindh province, the European Union (EU) has provided critical support to over 180,000 vulnerable individuals. Through a contribution of EUR 3 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the EU’s Humanitarian Aid Operations department has enabled multipurpose cash interventions across seven severely affected districts in 2023.
According to United Nations World Food Programme, the financial assistance was distributed among families in Jamshoro, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Noushero Feroz, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Umerkot. This support has been instrumental in helping these communities to meet their basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, and shelter. Beyond addressing immediate necessities, the cash assistance has also empowered many households to rebuild their businesses and livelihoods that were disrupted or destroyed by the floods.
Tahini Thammannagoda, the Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan, highlighted the ongoing struggles of the people affected by the 2022 floods, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas like Pakistan. The initiative aims not only to provide emergency assistance but also to prepare communities for future climate shocks.
WFP Pakistan’s Representative and Country Director, Coco Ushiyama, underscored the lasting impact of the floods on the lives and livelihoods of Pakistanis. She stressed the importance of investing in resilience to prevent future disasters and expressed optimism about forging stronger partnerships to secure food security and nutrition for all.
The 2022 floods were catastrophic, resulting in the loss of more than 1,700 lives and affecting over 33 million people across Pakistan. Sindh province, located in the Indus River basin, was particularly hard-hit, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the total losses and damage.
In the aftermath, WFP played a crucial role in complementing the Government of Pakistan’s relief and recovery efforts, utilizing its expertise in logistics, food and cash assistance, and resilience-building. This not only addressed immediate needs but also supported the recovery and rehabilitation of critical community assets and livelihoods.
With the flood response concluding in December 2023, WFP is now shifting its focus towards building long-term resilience against climate change, enhancing nutrition, strengthening food systems, and supporting government programs dedicated to the rehabilitation and fortification of affected communities for a more sustainable future.