Pakistan

The Worst Climate Disaster in Decades

Pakistan is facing the effects of the worst climate disaster in 30 years, despite having a trivial share in the global carbon emission. The rise in global temperatures led to the disastrous floods in October 2022, which left a staggering 33 million people in need of dire humanitarian assistance. Up to 2.2 million people lost their homes, over 1.1 million livestock perished, and more than 4.4 million acres of crops were destroyed. 

Since December 2022, the IRUSA has been working to help rehabilitate flood-affected families through the following:

• Reconstructing damaged homes and infrastructure
• Helping farmers and pastoralists build sustainable livelihoods and revitalize the agricultural sector
• Helping prevent gender-based violence in temporary living shelters through establishing safe spaces for women and children including referral pathways and gender-appropriate sanitation facilities
• Counseling and psychosocial support to address the psychological impact of the floods

Focus on Pakistan

Political and economic instability, as well as susceptibility to natural disasters like the recent floods, has forced roughly one third of Pakistan below the poverty line. Women and children – and other marginalized groups – bear the brunt, making it that much harder for them to access basic services including food, water, and proper healthcare.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Pakistan

IRUSA has served in Pakistan for decades, and continues to provide humanitarian and development assistance across the country today.

A few of our interventions include:

• Food aid
• Access to clean and safe water
• Healthcare for blindness and Hepatitis C, as well as neonatal and pediatric care
• Emergency aid to drought and flood-affected families including access to drought resilient crops and animal fodder for livestock
• Building sustainable livelihoods including innovative microfinancing plans to help low-income families start businesses
• Widow empowerment