ISLAMABAD: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) assisted over 180,000 vulnerable people affected by floods in seven districts of Pakistan’s Sindh province in 2023.
The assistance, supported by a EUR 3 million contribution from the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid Operations department, provided crucial support to families in Jamshoro, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Noushero Feroz, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Umerkot.
The cash interventions enabled affected families to meet their basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, and shelter. Additionally, many households utilized the cash to rebuild businesses and livelihoods disrupted or destroyed by the floods.
Tahini Thammannagoda, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Pakistan, emphasized the importance of assisting vulnerable communities after disasters and preparing them for future climate shocks. He highlighted Pakistan’s susceptibility to disasters and the EU’s commitment to supporting recovery efforts.
Coco Ushiyama, WFP Pakistan’s Representative and Country Director, underscored the long-term impact of the 2022 floods on Pakistani communities. He expressed gratitude for the support from humanitarian actors and donors like the EU and emphasized the need to invest in resilience-building for the future.
The 2022 floods, which claimed over 1,700 lives and affected 33 million people nationwide, had a devastating impact on Sindh province. WFP collaborated with the government to provide immediate relief and support recovery efforts, focusing on rebuilding critical community assets and livelihoods.
With the conclusion of the flood response in December 2023, WFP has shifted its focus to long-term resilience-building efforts, including climate change adaptation, nutrition enhancement, and strengthening food systems. It continues to collaborate with government programs to rebuild and fortify affected communities for a sustainable future.
