Just one year after severe floods destroyed nearly 10 million hectares of land in Pakistan, the country’s economic losses and damage costs are estimated at over $30 billion. The continuing aftermath of this disaster is a reminder that the worst impacts of climate change are concentrated in a small handful of countries that are least prepared for its consequences. Pakistan accounts for less than 1 per cent of global greenhouse gases, but is hit hard by natural disasters. And the clock is ticking: Floods, cyclones and droughts threaten to become even more intense due to climate change. This has serious consequences for the population: destroyed houses and health centres, polluted drinking water wells, ruined harvests and hungry people without seeds.

Children and mothers often lack access to necessary medical treatment and care, while deteriorating infrastructure limits access to adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities and increases the risk of waterborne infections. The destruction of schools also disrupts children’s sense of security and stability and can jeopardise their future if they do not have access to education.

In response to the floods, Solidar Suisse conducted a rapid needs assessment in the affected areas in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Solidar Suisse quickly provided life-saving assistance to more than 25,000 people in the initial phase of the floods, including Afghan refugees in Peshawar: the organisation focused on providing care to the most affected groups, including displaced communities, homeless families and people who had lost their livelihoods. It focused on protection, inclusion and non-discrimination, and ensured that the most vulnerable received immediate support to address their acute food insecurity.

Solidar Suisse’s humanitarian response was also guided by the government’s Flood Response Plan 2022 and Pakistan’s Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery Framework. The organisation worked closely with the relevant authorities, local institutions and grassroots civil society organisations to implement the relief measures. By the end of 2023, Solidar aims to support 50,000 people in Pakistan with emergency relief, restoration of decent work in agriculture and support for household-related livelihoods.