Islamabad: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), collaborating with the Government of Japan, has launched a project aimed at bolstering community resilience and disaster preparedness in Pakistan. This initiative, supported by a $400,000 contribution from Japan, focuses on vulnerable communities in Punjab province, particularly those affected by recurrent flooding and other climate-induced disasters.

According to the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, this project seeks to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in flood-affected areas of South Punjab over a 12-month period. It aims to directly benefit 3,000 individuals, with a particular focus on youth and women, by improving their ability to anticipate and respond to climate-related risks. Planned activities include training community members in early warning dissemination, preparedness planning, and first response coordination.

H.E. Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, emphasized Japan’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s resilience against natural disasters. He highlighted the initiative’s focus on empowering communities and strengthening preparedness for future risks through a human security approach.

Building on the partnership between Japan and UNDP, the initiative takes a people-centered approach, aiming to enhance human security and disaster risk reduction by strengthening local capacities for sustainable recovery and social cohesion. Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, noted that building resilience involves not only responding to disasters but also strengthening systems and capacities for long-term community recovery.

This initiative is part of UNDP’s broader efforts to support recovery and resilience in Pakistan, in collaboration with national and provincial partners.