Urban poverty is increasing. Pakistan is experiencing very strong urbanisation due to births and migration from rural areas. According to forecasts, more than half of Pakistan’s population will live in large cities by 2030. This phenomenon has increased the number of people living in cities to such an extent that the authorities are struggling to provide basic public services. One in eight urban dwellers lives below the poverty line. According to the World Bank, more than 40 per cent of people in Pakistani cities already live in slums. Despite a significant improvement in the literacy rate, millions of children do not go to school.

Pakistan is suffering from the effects of climate change. Pakistan is responsible for less than 1 per cent of global CO2 emissions, but is one of the countries worst hit by the consequences of climate change. In August 2022, a third of the country was under water after torrential rains. 33 million people were affected, many losing their livelihoods. Losses in agriculture, livestock and road infrastructure in the affected regions remain high.

Afghans are fleeing the Taliban. After the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, a power vacuum has arisen. The political unrest there has exacerbated food insecurity for the country’s citizens and triggered a further flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. As of May 2022, 1.3 million Afghan refugees were registered in Pakistan. However, the Pakistani government estimates that in addition to the registered refugees, there are up to 1.5 million Afghan citizens with other statuses living in Pakistan. The refugees have built huge transitional settlements in the suburbs of Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province). To date, more and more refugees are arriving to settle in the same densely populated settlements. Most struggle to meet their basic needs for food and other commodities, such as utensils, hygiene items, shelter, protection, education and livelihoods.