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The Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan
Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Since then, the country has made considerable progress by mainstreaming these goals in national policies and strategies and developing an institutional framework for SDGs implementation in Pakistan. SDG support units have been established at federal and provincial levels with the planning institutions (Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives and Provincial Planning and Development Departments) to guide SDGs implementation and monitoring it progress. In 2018, the Government designed and approved a National SDGs Framework that envisages a national vision to prioritize and localize SDGs. Localized provincial SDG Frameworks are being formulated. The focus of the government is on mainstreaming SDGs in planning processes, ensuring strong monitoring and reporting on SDGs, ensuring public financial allocations are aligned to SDGs and alternate financing modalities are being explored, and to benefit from use of technology to accelerate progress towards SDGs.
Publication
22 May 2026
UN Pakistan Annual Report 2025
For Pakistan and the international system as a whole, 2025 was a turbulent year. Climate shocks, economic volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and regional instability combined to put pressure on people, institutions and public finances alike. And yet, 2025 was also a story of resilience, adaptation and determined action.This Annual Results report shows how, in 2025, the United Nations stood with Pakistan – and how, together with government, communities and partners, we delivered results for people across the country. It also reflects a central lesson of the year: in a more volatile world, complex challenges cannot be met with fragmented responses. Just as the pressures Pakistan faces are interconnected, so too must be the solutions. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Pakistan 2023–2027 provides a basis for that integrated approach, bringing together our collective efforts across social services, inclusion, climate resilience, economic opportunity, governance and human rights.
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Publication
16 April 2026
The Future of Governance and the Social Contract
This issue of the Development Advocate Pakistan, The Future of Governance and the Social Contract, examines how governance capacity, not policy ambition alone, will determine Pakistan’s ability to navigate economic volatility, climate pressures, digital transformation, and widening inequality. At a moment of overlapping national transitions, it argues that restoring trust in the state depends on stronger institutions, better coordination, and closing the gap between reform commitments and lived outcomes.The issue features a leadership perspective by Honourable Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, alongside reflections from UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen; Sam Waldock, Development Director at the British Deputy High Commission in Islamabad; and Saroop Ijaz, Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate The issue also brings together diverse technical experts and thought leaders examining governance through multiple lenses, including fiscal federalism, constitutional accountability, digital rights, climate governance, water security, regional inequality, inclusion, and more. Among the contributing authors are Christina Murray, Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford and Gideon Basson, PhD Candidate, University of Oxford; Asma Hyder, Former Dean and Professor at IBA Karachi; Nargis Sethi, Former Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mehreen Naushad, International Law Expert; Dr. Sajid Amin, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI; Shmyla Khan, Researcher and Campaigner; Sara Hayat, Climate Change Law & Policy Specialist; Mohsin Leghari, Former Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Punjab; and Peter Jacob, Director of the Centre for Social Justice. The report concludes with a case study from UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit, highlighting practical efforts to institutionalize results-based delivery within the Prime Minister’s Office.Together, these contributions underscore a central message: the future of Pakistan’s social contract will be determined not only by constitutional guarantees or reform plans, but by the strength, coherence, and accountability of the institutions that bring them to life.
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Publication
16 April 2026
Pakistan’s National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
As Pakistan’s digital landscape expands, so does the need to ensure that online spaces are safe, inclusive, and rights-based. In 2024, eight million new female users came online, marking important progress in digital inclusion. Yet in the same year, 135,000 cybercrime complaints were reported, while only 826 cases proceeded to prosecution — just 0.6 percent. This gap between access and protection highlights the scale of the challenge and the need for a stronger institutional response.Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is increasingly shaping how women and girls experience digital spaces in Pakistan. From harassment and cyberstalking to image-based abuse, impersonation, and coordinated online intimidation, these harms can restrict expression, participation, and access to opportunity, while reinforcing existing inequalities.To respond to this growing challenge, the Ministry of Human Rights, Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has developed Pakistan’s first National Strategy to Counter Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence. This strategy marks an important step toward a more coordinated, survivor-centred, and rights-based response. Developed through a consultative multi-stakeholder process, the strategy provides a national framework to strengthen prevention, protection, redress, and institutional coordination, while helping ensure that women and girls can participate in digital life with safety, dignity, and confidence.
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Publication
06 May 2026
Delivering for People and Planet - UNDP Pakistan Annual Report 2025
Our Key AchievementsIn 2025, UNDP Pakistan advanced its mission to deliver for people and planet in a context marked by renewed climate shocks, economic pressure, and rising expectations for public service delivery. Guided by the Country Programme Document 2023–2027 and implemented in close partnership with the Government of Pakistan, provincial authorities, communities, civil society, development partners, and the UN system, our work focused on practical results that people could see and feel in their daily lives.Our ImpactUNDP works across Pakistan to support national priorities while responding to local realities. Our impact is reflected in the way communities are better protected from climate and disaster risks, livelihoods are restored and diversified, women and young people gain new pathways to opportunity, justice and public services become more accessible, and institutions are strengthened to plan, finance, and deliver for people.
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Publication
08 November 2022
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for Pakistan
With this framework, the UN in Pakistan has prioritized five development outcomes to improve people’s lives in Pakistan, especially the lives of those at the greatest risk of being left behind. The UN will support Pakistan to move forward on its pathway towards sustainable development, on the understanding that:✓ If basic social services – including health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and social protection – are strengthened, there will be increased equal access to sustainable quality services for all.✓ If women, girls and transgender persons are empowered to reach their fullest potential, their human, social, economic and cultural rights will be fully protected and upheld, and they will have decision-making power over all aspects of their lives.✓ If the health of the Indus River Basin is restored and protected, and resources are equitably and efficiently used, the Indus will sustain a thriving civilization from its sources to the sea, and Pakistan will be much better equipped to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.✓ If there is sustainable and inclusive green economic growth and decent work, there will be equitable employment opportunities, enhanced productivity, a sustainable business environment and the realization of workers’ rights.✓ If inclusive, accountable and efficient governance systems are in place, they will provide equitable service delivery, affordable and accessible justice systems, and enable people to be aware of – and obtain – their rights.To download an abridged version: Click here
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Story
21 May 2026
Pakistan: protecting millions against polio with support from KSrelief
“Just as we care for the children in our own homes and protect them from polio, I want all innocent children in our country to be healthy and protected through polio campaigns. I do this job from my heart, going from house to house to make sure that no child is left behind,” says Faiza.Faiza is one of more than 413,000 frontline health workers trained and mobilized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in April to protect 45 million children from paralytic polio in Pakistan, under the leadership of the Government and with support from donors like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).From 13-19 April, as the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) implemented its second nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026, polio workers like Faiza walked the length and breadth of the country to bring the life-saving polio vaccine to the doorsteps of every child, regardless of social or economic status, no matter where they live or who they are. Since the launch of Pakistan’s polio programme in 1994, thanks to the medical science behind vaccines, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025 and 1 case so far in 2026. Global polio eradication experts agree that ending wild polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach, but only if all partners intensify the response, particularly in the 2 remaining endemic countries: Pakistan and Afghanistan.Polio worker Faiza administers polio drops in Taramari during the April 2026 national polio campaign in Pakistan. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanLike Faiza, Saima – a former teacher – sees her work as a vaccinator as a personal commitment to protect every child in her community from a disease that can cause lifelong paralysis or death. “As a woman and as a mother, I get a lot of hope and internal satisfaction from this work. It is an act of service for me, vaccinating and protecting the children in my community from this terrible disease.”Saima’s 2-member team goes from house to house, visiting approximately 250 homes during each campaign.Polio worker Saima (centre) during the morning briefing before departing on a vaccination round in Islamabad, Pakistan, during the April 2026 national polio campaign. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanAs a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), WHO provides technical and operational assistance to Pakistan’s PEI. WHO supports Pakistan and partners in leading key components of the largest polio operation in the world, including science- and evidence-based vaccination campaigns, support for the largest and most sensitive poliovirus surveillance network globally, the training and deployment of polio workers – 60% of them women, outbreak responses, and the monitoring and evaluation of vaccination drives.Economic support provided by donors like KSrelief has been instrumental in ensuring WHO polio operations in Pakistan, while enabling economic support and community service.“I am very content to be working in the Polio programme because I am able to support my family while also protecting children from polio,” says polio vaccinator Hina.“Community health is an important part of my training as a student nurse, so I was motivated to be in the field, engaging directly with communities and promoting health. Being a polio worker and going door to door to vaccinate children is providing valuable field experience and the opportunity to serve the community, as well as income to cover my expenses,” says Waqar, who is completing his final year of nursing education and volunteers as a polio worker during vaccination campaigns.Polio workers like Faiza, Saima, Hina and Waqar are the backbone of polio eradication efforts in Pakistan, knocking on every door and visiting every family to leave no child behind. In their vaccine carriers, they bring hope, one drop at a time, for a polio-free Pakistan and a polio-free world.In 2026, WHO polio operations are being supported by the generous contributions of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Germany, the Gates Foundation and Rotary International.Written by Suzanna Masih.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán.
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Story
05 May 2026
Navigating remote Sindh to deliver life-saving vaccines in Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan – In the narrow, muddy lanes of Ghorabari, Sindh, Ali Muhammad’s motorbike brings hope and medical science to the most remote communities. Over the last two decades, Ali has been navigating this marginalized landscape, where accessing healthcare can be a daily struggle. Ali is one of over 15 000 skilled vaccinators trained by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the leadership of Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization.His mission: to ensure every child completes their full vaccination course, staying protected from vaccine-preventable diseases that could lead to lifelong disability or death.Vaccinator Ali on his motorbike, about to head to vaccination in a remote area in Sindh province, Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanDay after day, Ali fights a burden of diseases that particularly threatens communities living in makeshift houses far from health facilities.WHO’s collaboration with Pakistan and partners – supported by donors like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – provides the infrastructure, training, and tools needed to record the vaccination status of children and reach those living in the most isolated areas.Ali Muhammad with a vaccine carrier and safety box on his way to remote households in Ghorabari, Sindh. Photo credit: WHO PakistanWhether during the 2022 floods or the measles and rubella vaccination campaigns of 2022 and 2025, Ali was on the ground to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. "I have seen real improvement because of vaccination," Ali says. "There are fewer outbreaks now, but our work must be consistent to keep children safe."Ali often encounters hesitation due to misinformation. He remembers one family who, fearing minor side effects like fever, chose to skip life-saving vaccines."We would get our children vaccinated sometimes, and other times we wouldn't," says Zohra, a mother in Ghorabari. This inconsistency turned fatal when her daughter fell ill. Mistaking her fever for a common chest infection, the parents waited. It was only when a rash appeared and they reached the hospital that the truth emerged: it was measles. The realization came too late; the young girl died the next day.Today, Zohra has transformed her grief into a plea: "My daughter is gone because I was careless. I let my doubts come before her safety, and now I have to live with that grief every day. I thought I was protecting her from a fever. I urge every mother: do not wait for a rash to appear, do not let your child become a memory; ensure they are vaccinated on time, every time."Zohra, a mother in Ghorabari, Sindh, advocates immunization after losing her daughter to a preventable measles outbreak. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAli vaccinates over 3500 children annually at the basic health unit and in outreach sites, but he is more than a vaccinator. He is also a counselor who shares the plight of parents like Zohra to break the cycle of refusal. Every morning, he prepares his vaccine carrier, safety box, and vaccines, heading out to reach every woman and child, no matter where they live or who they are."In this area, some people don’t have access to basic health facilities; my mission is to ensure that every child completes their full vaccination course, so they are safe and protected.Written by Ayesha Javed.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán.
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Story
29 April 2026
‘This work chose me’: Pakistan’s women vaccinators protecting millions on the frontlines
“I didn’t choose this work. This work chose me,” says Sanam, one of the more than 428 000 vaccinators – including 15 000 routine vaccinators and 413 000 polio workers – trained by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan. They brave distance and difficult terrain and overcome doubts to bring lifesaving medical science to their communities, protecting them against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.Every year, they protect 7 million children and 5.5 million mothers with routine vaccines. Over 45 million children have been reached with polio vaccines during multiple supplementary campaigns.Many of these vaccinators are women who speak mother to mother, bridging cultural codes and going where others cannot. This World Immunization Week, we pay tribute to them.Meet Sanam, Laila, Rozina, Sagheera, Zeenat, Fatima, Ayesha, Shumaila, Deen-a-Komal and Amina, and learn how, across Pakistan’s provinces, they are proving that, for every generation, vaccines work and save lives.Sanam – Barakahu, Islamabad“When I was in college, I wanted to select a field where I could interact with people and with children – like this vaccination programme that protects children. I wanted to do something for children, as a vaccinator and as a mother.”Vaccinator Sanam prepares a routine immunization dose at the Rural Health Centre Barakahu, Islamabad, Pakistan, in April 2026. Photo credit: Sara Akmal/ WHO PakistanLaila – Muzaffargarh, Punjab“These are my villages, my children. I have walked through these fields in July heat and December fog. When you know a child is waiting, you don’t calculate the distance. You just go. Trust is a real medicine. The injection comes after,” says Laila.Vaccinator Laila walks through the fields of Muzaffargarh, Punjab, carrying a vaccine carrier and supplies to reach children in her community. Photo credit: WHO PakistanRozina – Thatta, Sindh“Some mothers walk very far to bring their children to me. When I see them coming, I never make them wait. There are mothers in this area who lost children to measles because they were not vaccinated on time. Vaccination is not just a choice. It is a responsibility we share.”Vaccinator Rozina prepares a vaccine dose at a community outreach session in, Thatta, Sindh, as mothers and children wait to be vaccinated. Photo credit: WHO PakistanSagheera – Kahuta, Punjab “For 25 years I have been coming to these hills. The children I vaccinated first are now bringing me their own children. That is all the reward I need.”Vaccinator Sagheera reviews vaccination cards with mothers and families during a community outreach visit in Kahuta, Punjab. Photo credit: WHO PakistanZeenat – Rawalpindi“I am a mother too and I got my own children vaccinated for polio. Thank God, they are healthy and protected now. I want all parents in the country to vaccinate their children with polio drops so they do not fall prey to paralysis.”Vaccinator Zeenat, accompanied by a WHO frontline worker, administers polio drops to a child at his doorstep in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, during a door-to-door immunization campaign in February 2026. Photo credit: Hamid Inam/WHO PakistanFatima – Thatta, Sindh“Every tetanus-diphtheria vaccine that we provide protects mothers and newborns from maternal and neonatal tetanus. I am proud to have played a part in eliminating this disease across Sindh.” Vaccinator Fatima administers a Td (tetanus-diphtheria) vaccine to a woman at a community outreach site in Thatta, Sindh, as part of Pakistan’s maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination programme. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAyesha – Tarlai, Islamabad“Every child, every missed dose is all in this register. This data are not just numbers. These are the children I am responsible for.”Vaccinator Ayesha presents her vaccination register to Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, during a visit to the Tarlai health facility in Islamabad in 2025. Photo credit: Ayesha Javed/WHO PakistanShumaila – Karachi, Sindh“The human papillomavirus (HPV) campaign (against cervical cancer) was challenging. I was not just vaccinating — I was convincing parents the vaccine was safe. Every girl on our list was a daughter, a sister, a future. It was our responsibility to protect her health.”Vaccinator Shumaila administers an HPV vaccine to a schoolgirl in Karachi, Sindh, during the national HPV campaign. Photo credit: Ayesha Javed/WHO PakistanDeen-a-Komal – Diamir District, Gilgit-Baltistan“In Diamir, people once turned us away at the door. Since15 women vaccinators were deployed here, coverage has risen from 57% to 83%. That change is what I worked for.”Vaccinator Deen-a-Komal at an outreach site during a measles and rubella campaign in November 2025 in Diamir District, Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo credit: WHO PakistanAmina Khan – Mehrabadi, Islamabad“A missed child does not disappear from my list. I follow up until I find them. A blank space in this register means a child is still at risk.”Vaccinator Amina updates vaccination records at a field outreach site in Mehrabadi, Islamabad. Photo credit: WHO Pakistan.Bridging the human distance to deliver medical scienceIn 1976, Pakistan was certified free of smallpox by WHO. In 1980, smallpox was officially declared eradicated worldwide, ending one of the deadliest diseases in human history. That success was achieved by health workers who walked through neighbourhoods, climbed into villages, and stayed until every eligible person was reached. Two years later, in 1978, Pakistan launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization in partnership with WHO. At the time, there were a limited presence of women vaccinators.Nearly 5 decades on, Pakistan has more women vaccinators than ever. They carry vaccines into the country’s hardest-to-reach corners with WHO technical and operational support – in collaboration with partners and with funding from donors like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.These vaccinators continue to build on the hard-earned lesson that motivated the creation of the immunization programme 48 years ago: understanding that the distance between a vaccine and a child is always, in the end, a human distance, and that the medical science behind vaccines needs vaccinators to deliver it.Written by Ayesha Javed.Edited by José Ignacio Martín Galán
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Story
06 April 2026
Threading a New Path: Saeeda’s Journey from Isolation to Enterprise
In Union Council Churbandar, in Gwadar district, Saeeda’s days once revolved around quiet, repetitive work.At 39, widowed and raising two children, she relied on hand embroidery to sustain her household. Her work was careful and skilled, but it remained confined within her home. Without access to buyers, pricing knowledge, or regular orders, her monthly income fluctuated between PKR 10,000 and 15,000. It was uncertain, informal, and difficult to scale. “I used to do embroidery, but I did not know how to sell my work properly or get regular orders,” she recalls. Like many women in her community, Saeeda’s challenge was not a lack of skill. It was the absence of a pathway to turn that skill into a stable livelihood.That began to change with the establishment of the Women Resource Centre (WRC) in Churbandar under the Gwadar Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project, financed by Government of Pakistan and the International Dund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Designed as a safe and accessible space, the centre brought women together to learn, work, and exchange knowledge. For Saeeda, it marked her first step out of isolation.Through the centre, she participated in Enterprise Development Training, where she learned advanced embroidery techniques, product finishing, business planning, and basic financial management. More importantly, she began to understand how her work could connect to a wider market.The shift was not immediate, but it was steady.At the WRC, women were encouraged to organise into enterprise groups. Saeeda joined others with similar skills, and for the first time, her work became part of a collective process. Tasks were shared across embroidery, stitching, finishing, and packaging. Products that once took months to complete could now be produced more efficiently and with consistent quality. With support from the centre, she also began receiving orders from local markets and women-led online networks, including through WhatsApp. Her customer base expanded, and her pricing improved.Today, Saeeda earns approximately PKR 35,000 a month. The increase in income has brought stability to her household, but the change is not only financial.“After my husband passed away, I was broken and afraid… The Women Resource Centre gave me skills, confidence, and direction. Today, I can support my children with dignity and hope.” The centre has also reshaped how women in the community engage with work and with each other. It provides a space where they can move beyond home-based, informal production into structured, market-oriented activities, while building confidence and decision-making capacity.Saeeda’s experience reflects a broader shift underway across Gwadar and Lasbela districts. Under the project, women are not peripheral participants but a central focus. They make up more than half of the membership in community organisations, and the majority of productive assets and training opportunities are directed towards them. This approach is supported through a network of Women Resource Centres, designed to anchor skills development, enterprise formation, and market engagement at the local level. The results are visible beyond individual households. Across the project area, there has been a marked decline in the proportion of ultra-poor households earning below PKR 10,000, alongside a rise in households moving into higher income brackets. These trends indicate a gradual but measurable shift from subsistence to more stable livelihoods.At the same time, the process is still evolving. Building enterprise groups, strengthening market linkages, and sustaining local institutions such as WRCs requires time and continued engagement. For Saeeda, however, the direction is already clear.What began as solitary work within the confines of her home has grown into a more structured livelihood, connected to markets and supported by a network of women facing similar challenges. In that transition lies not only increased income, but a redefinition of what is possible.
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Story
12 March 2026
From Risk to Relief: Transforming Medical Waste Management in Pakistan
Many district and tehsil hospitals across Pakistan face a serious but often overlooked problem: the safe disposal of hazardous medical waste. Used syringes, blood-soaked bandages, and other infectious materials are generated every day, yet proper disposal systems are either outdated or unavailable. In some cases, waste is stored for long periods, handled manually, or disposed of in ways that put hospital staff, waste handlers, patients, and nearby communities at risk. The absence of reliable incineration facilities creates a critical gap in the healthcare system, directly affecting both public health and environmental safety.To address this challenge, with support from the Global Fund and in coordination with the Common Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoHSRC), UNOPS, under its “Developing Infrastructure for Incinerator Installation” project, has successfully constructed facilities in seven district hospitals across different provinces. The medical waste incinerators were procured by UNOPS Geneva office and have been installed in four hospitals as of now, including Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospital, Muridke, Punjab; Institute of Chest Diseases (ICD), Kotri, Sindh; Civil Hospital, Mithi, Sindh; and Teaching Hospital, Khuzdar, Balochistan. The next installation is planned at Teaching Hospital, Turbat. Two sites are currently under construction, and work on the remaining three sites will begin in the next few weeks. Built according to international safety standards, with cavity walls and a properly designed ventilation system to ensure safe and controlled operation. Each installed incinerator can dispose of up to 150 kilograms of medical waste per hour, enabling hospitals to manage their waste efficiently, safely, and securely on-site.The impact goes beyond the structure itself. Staff at all these hospitals have received hands-on operational training, including live demonstrations of the full incineration cycle and safe waste-handling procedures. With four incinerators now operational as of now , they will significantly reduce infection risks for patients and surrounding communities, protect waste handlers from injury, and prevent harmful pollutants from entering the environment.“The installation of the incinerator at THQ Hospital Muridke marks a major step forward in safely managing infectious medical waste within the hospital. This initiative not only protects our healthcare workers but also safeguards our patients, the surrounding community, and the entire population of Muridke.”Dr. Ahmed Ammar Asif, Medical Superintendent, THQ Hospital Muridke This initiative demonstrates UNOPS’ strong expertise in infrastructure development and procurement globally, particularly in complex and high-challenge environments. By delivering safe, standards-compliant facilities and building local capacity, UNOPS is helping to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system in a practical and lasting way. The impact goes beyond waste disposal. It means safer hospitals for patients, improved working conditions for healthcare staff, and healthier communities. This project closes a long-standing gap in the health system and contributes directly to better health outcomes and responsible waste management for the future.
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Press Release
30 June 2026
Media Update-2: United Nations Pakistan, 30 June 2026
UNICEFSTATEMENTChildren are adopting AI technologies more than three times faster than adultsStatement by UNICEF on children’s use of Artificial Intelligence ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI GovernanceNEW YORK/FLORENCE, 30 June 2026 – “AI is here. It is a growing part of all of our lives. And it is already shaping childhood around the world – for better and for worse.“New evidence is laying bare the scale and speed of its uptake by children worldwide, while exposing the risks and divides emerging alongside it.“Analysis by UNICEF drawing on new data from 10 countries estimates that at least 20 million children have used Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many are outpacing adults by adopting it at rates more than three times faster.“More than 2 million children – or 1 in 10 – said they turn to AI for advice on things that worry them, and an estimated 13 million children said they use it to support their learning and homework.“As children’s use of AI accelerates, the rules that govern its use – including protections for children – are struggling to keep up. “Children are more exposed to AI systems – including how they are designed, their underlying business models, and how their own data is used – yet have far less power to avoid or challenge them. They feel the effects of weak governance first and will live with the consequences the longest. Yet most AI governance does not prioritise children.“While AI has potential to bring opportunities for children to learn, play, or be creative, evidence about its role in cognitive development, emotional dependency, and exposure to harm is just emerging. In effect, a generation is growing up inside a global experiment.“Children themselves recognise the risks. In the 10 countries, a third of children reported concerns about AI being used to scam and trick others, or spread misinformation, while a quarter feared having their images or videos manipulated into sexually explicit deepfakes. Too many systems are reaching children with no guardrails – safety, seemingly, an afterthought.“Ahead of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, UNICEF is calling on governments, the private sector, and partners to embed child rights, especially the right to safety and protection, in global AI governance by:Investing in research on AI's impact on children’s development and well-being, especially the risks.Strengthening laws, governance frameworks, and corporate accountability to stop AI-enabled sexual exploitation and abuse.Ensuring that AI systems are designed with maximum safety and transparency, so all children have a chance to be protected while benefiting from opportunities.Building AI literacy and providing support for children and their parents or caregivers to thrive in the digital environmentInvesting in digital infrastructure and meaningful connectivity for every child and their parents or caregivers, at home and at school to close the AI divide between and within countries.“This is a decisive moment. The choices made about AI now will shape children’s safety, privacy, well-being, and their equal access to opportunities for decades to come.” Notes to editors:Download UNICEF’s Snapshot of AI Usage and Concerns Among Children and Parents hereThis brief draws on survey data from Disrupting Harm Phase 2, the second phase of a research project led by UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti, ECPAT International, and INTERPOL, with funding from Safe Online. Countries included in this analysis are Armenia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Pakistan, and Serbia.The estimates presented here are based on nationally representative household surveys implemented by UNICEF and IPSOS across these 10 countries. Approximately 1,000 internet-using children aged 12-17 and 1,000 of their parents or caregivers were surveyed per country, using a sampling design aimed at achieving full or near full national coverage (91–100 per cent). National point estimates were used to model the population-level figures, weighting them by UN 2024 population-level data and estimated child internet-use rates. The research was carried out across countries representing diverse regional contexts.About UNICEF
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube ILOPRESS RELEASEGovernment Allocates PKR 1 Billion ($3.6 Million) Grant for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social ProtectionISLAMABAD, June 29, 2026 – The Government of Pakistan has approved a PKR 1 billion (USD 3.6 million) allocation to support the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, marking a significant national investment in expanding decent employment opportunities, strengthening social protection systems and supporting more inclusive economic growth.The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD), in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the National Steering Committee, with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), will lead the initiative.The allocation reflects the Government's strong ownership of the initiative and complements ongoing technical assistance provided by the ILO. It will help unlock decent work opportunities in priority sectors and accelerate Pakistan's progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.The investment will support the development of a National Roadmap for Decent Jobs with clear, time-bound targets. It will also help advance the formalization of the economy by bringing informal workers and enterprises into the formal economy while expanding social protection coverage. In addition, the initiative will support targeted interventions to increase labour force participation among young people and women, including through the care economy and digital transformation.Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development emphasized, "This PKR 1 billion (USD 3.6 million) allocation is a powerful catalyst with enormous strategic significance. It equips the Government to pilot innovative approaches to formalization and turn Pakistan's demographic dividend into an economic opportunity, particularly for young people and women.”Geir Tonstol, Country Director of the ILO in Pakistan stated, "The ILO is proud to support this partnership with the Government and social partners. Together, we are working to ensure that economic growth translates into more decent work opportunities, stronger social protection systems, and more inclusive and resilient labour markets across Pakistan."Mohammad Yahya, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan said, "Through the Global Accelerator, supported by the Joint SDG Fund and the United Nations system, Pakistan is demonstrating how strategic investments can expand decent employment opportunities, strengthen social protection systems and accelerate the transition to formality. The Government's contribution reflects the strength of national ownership and partnership, setting an important example of how investments in jobs and social protection can drive inclusive growth and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals."The initiative is aligned with the Government's fiscal strategy for FY 2026–27, which targets 4 per cent GDP growth and the creation of 2 million new jobs. Over the coming months, the National Steering Committee, with ILO support, will finalise the National Roadmap for Decent Jobs. Led by the OPHRD, the process will bring together key stakeholders to translate the Government's employment commitments into measurable results across the country.
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube ILOPRESS RELEASEGovernment Allocates PKR 1 Billion ($3.6 Million) Grant for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social ProtectionISLAMABAD, June 29, 2026 – The Government of Pakistan has approved a PKR 1 billion (USD 3.6 million) allocation to support the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, marking a significant national investment in expanding decent employment opportunities, strengthening social protection systems and supporting more inclusive economic growth.The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD), in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance and the National Steering Committee, with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), will lead the initiative.The allocation reflects the Government's strong ownership of the initiative and complements ongoing technical assistance provided by the ILO. It will help unlock decent work opportunities in priority sectors and accelerate Pakistan's progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.The investment will support the development of a National Roadmap for Decent Jobs with clear, time-bound targets. It will also help advance the formalization of the economy by bringing informal workers and enterprises into the formal economy while expanding social protection coverage. In addition, the initiative will support targeted interventions to increase labour force participation among young people and women, including through the care economy and digital transformation.Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development emphasized, "This PKR 1 billion (USD 3.6 million) allocation is a powerful catalyst with enormous strategic significance. It equips the Government to pilot innovative approaches to formalization and turn Pakistan's demographic dividend into an economic opportunity, particularly for young people and women.”Geir Tonstol, Country Director of the ILO in Pakistan stated, "The ILO is proud to support this partnership with the Government and social partners. Together, we are working to ensure that economic growth translates into more decent work opportunities, stronger social protection systems, and more inclusive and resilient labour markets across Pakistan."Mohammad Yahya, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan said, "Through the Global Accelerator, supported by the Joint SDG Fund and the United Nations system, Pakistan is demonstrating how strategic investments can expand decent employment opportunities, strengthen social protection systems and accelerate the transition to formality. The Government's contribution reflects the strength of national ownership and partnership, setting an important example of how investments in jobs and social protection can drive inclusive growth and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals."The initiative is aligned with the Government's fiscal strategy for FY 2026–27, which targets 4 per cent GDP growth and the creation of 2 million new jobs. Over the coming months, the National Steering Committee, with ILO support, will finalise the National Roadmap for Decent Jobs. Led by the OPHRD, the process will bring together key stakeholders to translate the Government's employment commitments into measurable results across the country.
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Press Release
30 June 2026
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 30 June 2026
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes the announcement of Pakistan’s first Anticipatory Action Strategy, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen disaster risk management and reduce the impact of climate-related hazards on vulnerable communities. Anticipatory action helps safeguard lives, livelihoods and critical assets by using risk forecasts to trigger early funding and action before hazards strike. This approach marks a shift from responding to disasters to acting ahead of them to reduce their impact.The national anticipatory action strategy builds on a joint initiative implemented by WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the European Union (EU) in support of the Government of Pakistan, through which a range of measures were introduced at national and sub-national levels to strengthen anticipatory action systems. These include strengthening early warning systems, testing protocols, and integrating anticipatory approaches into government disaster risk management and development planning.“Anticipatory actions need to be activated to reduce disaster risks and minimise humanitarian and economic losses,” said the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik. “Timely preparedness, early warning dissemination, and a coordinated institutional response are essential to protect vulnerable communities from the increasing impacts of climate-induced hazards.”Climate-related disasters in Pakistan have caused over US$18 billion in damages over the two decades- rising to more than US$60 billion when major flood events in 2010, 2011 and 2022 are factored in. The 2025 monsoon floods affected 6.9 million people, while 2026 has already begun with El Niño-related warnings of droughts and flash floods. The impact on food security from these events can be immense due to the destruction of livelihoods and assets which can take years to rebuild.The benefits of anticipatory action were demonstrated during the 2025 floods in Pakistan. In Khairpur district, Sindh, WFP and FAO with support from the EU, delivered anticipatory cash assistance of US$179 (PKR 50,000) per household to 15,000 vulnerable people three days before peak flooding. This enabled families to secure food and essential supplies, evacuate safely, and protect livestock and assets.“Pakistan’s exposure to climate-related hazards demands innovative approaches that help communities prepare for and withstand future shocks,” said Taheeni Thammannagoda, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid’s office in Pakistan. “The Anticipatory Action Strategy is an important step towards strengthening preparedness and enabling earlier, more informed action to reduce disaster impacts.”The joint initiative also has helped upgrade risk analysis, contingency planning, and simulation exercises across national, provincial and district authorities in Sindh and Balochistan.“Evidence shows that every dollar invested in anticipatory action can save up to US$7 in avoided losses,” said Anita Hirsch, WFP Representative and Country Director in Pakistan. “With the next monsoon season approaching, continuous investments in anticipatory actions should not only save lives and livelihoods but also save resources in the long run.”“Anticipatory action bridges humanitarian response and development by protecting people while ensuring that agriculture and livestock systems remain productive,” said James Robert Okoth, Officer in Charge, FAO Pakistan. “By acting before disaster strikes, we safeguard not only lives and their crops and animals, but also the futures, dignity, and resilience of the communities who depend on them.”Moving forward, efforts will focus on aligning provincial processes and mobilizing pre-disaster public financial mechanisms that can release resources ahead of shocks. This scaling effort is supported by partners including the EU and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), helping ensure early warnings translate into timely action.# # #The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: @WFPPakistanFor more information, please contact: Anam Abbas, WFP/ Islamabad, anam.abbas@wfp.org
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Press Release
23 June 2026
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 19 June 2026
Around 94% of Pakistan’s population – or approximately 250 million people – now live in areas where the spread of neonatal tetanus is under controlled limits.19 June 2026, Peshawar/Islamabad, Pakistan – Following a comprehensive field assessment in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) has pre-validated the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This milestone takes Pakistan closer to interrupting the transmission of this life-threatening disease among mothers and newborns nationwide. Around 94% of Pakistan’s population – or approximately 250 million people – now live in areas where the spread of neonatal tetanus remains under controlled limits – less than 1 case of tetanus per 1,000 live births.Gilgit-Baltistan achieved elimination in July 2025, Islamabad Capital Territory and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir in March 2025, Sindh in December 2024, and Punjab in 2016. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s achievement of the elimination threshold, Balochistan is the only province still working towards this goal.The pre-validation assessment was conducted following a comprehensive review led by WHO and UNICEF, at the request of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which included field visits to high-risk, hard-to-reach districts with historically low immunization coverage, including Dera Ismail Khan, Battagram and Kohistan (Upper and Lower); a desk review of three years of surveillance data; and a quality audit of the tetanus vaccination campaigns in South Waziristan (Upper and Lower), where field access was not possible.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s achievement is the result of transformative strategies led by the national and provincial governments, in partnership with UNICEF and WHO. Combined efforts include improved immunization for pregnant women and women of childbearing age, surveillance, community engagement, safer delivery practices, improved skilled birth attendance, cord care, and enhanced access to other antenatal, maternal, newborn and child health services. Around 12,000 Lady Health Workers, together with thousands of vaccinators and frontline health staff, were at the heart of this effort, reaching women in some of the province’s most remote and underserved communities.In 2025 alone, WHO and UNICEF supported the vaccination of 5.4 million pregnant women and women of childbearing age across Pakistan, including more than 870,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.“This achievement shows the commitment of Pakistan’s authorities and its health workforce, as well as the communities, to saving lives and protecting every mother and child from a preventable disease. To achieve prosperity and sustainable development, every country needs healthy mothers and newborns. WHO will stand by Pakistan and its partners to achieve the elimination of neonatal tetanus across the country and protect every family, no matter where they live or who they are,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.Despite progress, Pakistan remains among 8 countries worldwide that have yet to eliminate MNT. While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s progress towards MNT elimination is a major achievement, sustained efforts are needed to maintain the hard-fought gains."Pakistan is one step closer to protecting every mother and newborn from maternal and neonatal tetanus. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's progress reflects the determination of women to protect their own health and give their babies the best start in life, supported by dedicated frontline health workers and stronger health services and systems. Together with the government and our partners, UNICEF is proud to support this journey towards a healthier future for every child," said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.UNICEF and WHO will stand with Pakistan to accelerate action and support Balochistan, the remaining province, to take a decisive step towards the maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination target as part of the objectives of the Immunization Agenda 2030. For media queries, please contact: WHO: Dr. José Ignacio Martín Galán, Head of Communications, WHO Pakistan, jomartin@who.int UNICEF: Karen Reidy, Chief of Advocacy & Communication, UNICEF Pakistan, + 92 302 828 4385, kreidy@unicef.org About WHO Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. We work with 194 Member States in 150+ locations – so everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html. Follow WHO Pakistan on Twitter and Facebook. About UNICEF UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.Follow UNICEF on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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Press Release
23 June 2026
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 18 June 2026
UNDPPRESS RELEASEPolicy dialogue explores rights-based approaches to climate security in BalochistanQuetta, 17 June 2026: Funded by the German Embassy in Pakistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, in partnership with the Government of Balochistan and the University of Balochistan, convened a policy dialogue on “Rights-Based Climate Security in Balochistan: From Local Evidence to Policy Action” in Quetta on 15 June 2026.Organized under UNDP’s Community Stabilization initiative, the dialogue brought together senior provincial officials, academia, civil society, young people, environmental experts, and community representatives from Gwadar to examine climate security as a question of governance, rights, and human development in Balochistan.H.E. Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Governor of Balochistan, welcomed the dialogue and appreciated the platform in bringing together government, academia, civil society, and frontline communities to advance locally grounded climate action. “A rights-based approach is the need of the hour. It reminds us that climate action must be centered on people. Climate resilience is strongest when citizens are heard, vulnerable communities are protected & public institutions are supported to respond effectively”, he said.Convened against the backdrop of growing climate pressures across the province, discussions focused on how these challenges can be addressed through stronger institutions, more responsive service delivery, and the protection of vulnerable communities.UNDP’s rights-based approach to community stabilization and climate security in Gwadar links community resilience with institutional reform, responsive service delivery, and grievance redress mechanisms for vulnerable and underserved communities. The dialogue brought local evidence from Gwadar into the policy space, highlighting how rising sea levels, water and food insecurity, and pressure on fisheries are reshaping livelihoods and access to services.Community mediators also shared their experiences in facilitating access to environmental justice, underscoring the importance of treating communities not only as beneficiaries, but as rights-holders and partners in designing climate responses.In his keynote address, Dr. Zahoor Ahmed Bazai, Vice Chancellor at the University of Balochistan, highlighted the role of academia, young people, and provincial institutions in advancing climate resilience and evidence-based policymaking. He underscored the importance of translating the Balochistan Climate Change Policy 2024 into implementation pathways responsive to the province’s ecological diversity, social inequalities, and development priorities.The dialogue also highlighted the gender-climate nexus, emphasizing that gender equality must be integrated into climate policy, finance, and security responses from the outset. Participants noted that climate security is ultimately about protecting lives, rights, and trust, and that stabilization efforts in Balochistan must help communities and institutions manage climate pressures, address grievances, and build resilience without leaving women and girls behind.A panel discussion on “The Rights-Security Nexus: Climate Governance, Responsible Mining, and Community Stabilization” further examined how climate governance, resource accountability, and community stabilization intersect in Balochistan. Panelists reflected on the need for institutions to anticipate and respond to climate-related grievances in ways that protect rights, strengthen coordination, build public trust, and support peaceful and inclusive development.Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized that climate security must be grounded in inclusive development and institutional accountability. “Development cannot be for the few who are shielded from the devastating impacts of climate change. It must be for everyone,” said Dr. Rizk, reaffirming UNDP’s commitment to support people-centered climate action. “A rights-based approach to climate security means strengthening institutions so they can protect development gains, respond to grievances, and deliver services equitably even when calamities strike.”The dialogue forms part of UNDP’s broader efforts to support climate resilience, social cohesion, and rights-based development in Balochistan through partnerships with government institutions, academia, civil society, and local communities.###For further details, please contact:· Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.orgAbout UNDPUNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP. UNFPAPRESS STATEMENTUNFPA Welcomes Pakistan's Moves to support Population and Development Agenda.Statement by Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative in Pakistan.June 16, 2026: UNFPA welcomes the steps the Government of Pakistan is taking to strengthen its national population and development agenda. Recent fiscal, legislative, and institutional reforms reflect a growing commitment to the health, rights, and well-being of the people of Pakistan, especially women and young people.UNFPA particularly commends the government's decision to remove all taxes on contraceptives and menstrual hygiene products. This landmark fiscal move lowers the cost of essential reproductive health supplies, especially for the marginalized communities, and has the potential to improve access to family planning, improve maternal health outcomes, and support informed reproductive choices.Pakistan has also made notable progress on its legal and institutional framework. Efforts to advance Child Marriage Restraint legislation, including setting 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for girls, represent an important step for the rights of adolescents. Along with initiatives for stronger protections against sexual violence and continued progress on the Reproductive Health Bill, these measures help build a safer environment for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.At the institutional level, the establishment of the National Population Council under the chair of Prime Minister and including Chief Ministers is a significant step toward better coordination on population and development issues. The Council brings together key government institutions, including the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. It offers a platform for a whole-of-government approach that can help ensure demographic issues are effectively addressed across federal and provincial governments and embedded in national planning and sustainable development efforts.Looking ahead, UNFPA welcomes ongoing discussions on using the National Finance Commission (NFC) framework as a tool to support inclusive population management and human development goals. Linking provincial incentives to demographic and social outcomes could encourage more equitable progress nationwide while strengthening accountability for results.While these developments are promising, continued progress will require continued investment and coordination across sectors. UNFPA encourages the government to keep expanding access to family planning and reproductive health services, strengthen the implementation of protective legislation, invest in adolescent girls and young people, and fully integrate population issues into national and provincial planning. Long-term progress depends on predictable domestic financing for population and reproductive health programmes. UNFPA remains a committed partner to the Government of Pakistan and stands ready to provide technical and strategic support to help turn these policy gains into lasting improvements in people's lives.********For more informationMariyam Nawaz, Communications Analyst, UNFPA Pakistan | mnawaz@unfpa.org
Learn more at undp.org or follow @UNDP. UNFPAPRESS STATEMENTUNFPA Welcomes Pakistan's Moves to support Population and Development Agenda.Statement by Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative in Pakistan.June 16, 2026: UNFPA welcomes the steps the Government of Pakistan is taking to strengthen its national population and development agenda. Recent fiscal, legislative, and institutional reforms reflect a growing commitment to the health, rights, and well-being of the people of Pakistan, especially women and young people.UNFPA particularly commends the government's decision to remove all taxes on contraceptives and menstrual hygiene products. This landmark fiscal move lowers the cost of essential reproductive health supplies, especially for the marginalized communities, and has the potential to improve access to family planning, improve maternal health outcomes, and support informed reproductive choices.Pakistan has also made notable progress on its legal and institutional framework. Efforts to advance Child Marriage Restraint legislation, including setting 18 years as the minimum legal age of marriage for girls, represent an important step for the rights of adolescents. Along with initiatives for stronger protections against sexual violence and continued progress on the Reproductive Health Bill, these measures help build a safer environment for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.At the institutional level, the establishment of the National Population Council under the chair of Prime Minister and including Chief Ministers is a significant step toward better coordination on population and development issues. The Council brings together key government institutions, including the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. It offers a platform for a whole-of-government approach that can help ensure demographic issues are effectively addressed across federal and provincial governments and embedded in national planning and sustainable development efforts.Looking ahead, UNFPA welcomes ongoing discussions on using the National Finance Commission (NFC) framework as a tool to support inclusive population management and human development goals. Linking provincial incentives to demographic and social outcomes could encourage more equitable progress nationwide while strengthening accountability for results.While these developments are promising, continued progress will require continued investment and coordination across sectors. UNFPA encourages the government to keep expanding access to family planning and reproductive health services, strengthen the implementation of protective legislation, invest in adolescent girls and young people, and fully integrate population issues into national and provincial planning. Long-term progress depends on predictable domestic financing for population and reproductive health programmes. UNFPA remains a committed partner to the Government of Pakistan and stands ready to provide technical and strategic support to help turn these policy gains into lasting improvements in people's lives.********For more informationMariyam Nawaz, Communications Analyst, UNFPA Pakistan | mnawaz@unfpa.org
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Press Release
17 June 2026
Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 16 June 2026
UNICEFPRESS RELEASE Nearly half of the world’s children exposed to at least three overlapping climate threats – UNICEFDrought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most prevalent trio of hazards endangering millions of children globally, according to new climate reportNEW YORK, 16 June 2026 – Nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival, according to a new UNICEF report launched today. Almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard, while more than 4 million could face as many as six overlapping threats, the report warns.The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026 uses the latest available data to map children’s exposure to the eight most frequent climate threats, including coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms. For the first time, the report reveals exactly where – and how intense – multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on, and how governments can take concrete actions to respond.“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”Drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with over 296 million children living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings. The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms – leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit, more than 4 million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms, while in countries across Asia, for example Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.High-income countries are not immune to overlapping climate shocks. In Italy, for example, more than 6 million children are regularly exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data show. Yet the country illustrates how investment in climate change adaptation can mitigate some of the risks children face, while highlighting the need for further action as the climate crisis intensifies.In addition to the eight most frequent climate hazards, the report analyses children’s exposure to air pollution and malaria; two risks that are highly sensitive to the effects of climate change. Data show that air pollution affects nearly every child globally, while 1 billion children are exposed to malaria, adding another layer of danger for children already facing multiple climate hazards.The report also presents a framework to analyse the different types of risks children face, based on their exposure to climate shocks and their vulnerability, determined by access to essential social services such as healthcare, clean water, education, and more. The approach can be applied in different ways, from looking at risks related to individual or multiple climate hazards to examining risks across sectors, revealing the threats children face across different contexts.For example, considering multiple hazards and vulnerabilities together, children in landlocked* and fragile* countries such as Chad or the Central African Republic face overlapping climate hazards while also lacking access to basic services, making it much harder for them to cope and recover. Meanwhile, all children in 24 Small Island Developing States*, including from Haiti to Vanuatu, are exposed to tropical storms, which can disrupt entire islands at once and overwhelm essential services, the report notes.Without urgent efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems, threatening children's well-being, the report warns.To protect children’s rights from climate threats and adapt to growing environmental changes, UNICEF is calling on governments, businesses and relevant actors to:Reduce emissions and take ambitious action to fulfil existing international commitments, grounded in the best available science, including the urgent phasing-out of fossil fuels and a just transition towards renewable energy.Protect children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services, ensuring that children and child-critical services are included in national adaptation plans and sector strategies, disaster risk governance, preparedness and response plans. This includes, for example, developing safe and green learning facilities and climate‑resilient health care facilities, securing children’s food security, making multi‑hazard early warning systems effective for children and accessible to the services they rely on, and strengthening the efficiency of water and sanitation services, as well as shock‑responsive social protection systems.Empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in climate action by investing in climate education, knowledge and skills, and by strengthening the capacity of decision makers and experts to respect children’s rights to be heard, freedom of expression, and participation in decisions that affect their lives.“This analysis can help governments and decision-makers plan better and invest more effectively in resilient services,” said Russell. “When we strengthen health and education systems, and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”#####
Note to editors:To better understand the potential severity and frequency of climate threats throughout a child's life, the methodology uses a probabilistic model based on a 100-year return period. This approach captures extreme climate events that are highly likely to occur in any given year and highlights the most significant hazards children are exposed to.The CCRR 2026 looks at children’s exposure to eight climate hazards: coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms, as well as two climate-sensitive hazards such as air pollution and vector borne diseases; while considering inherent vulnerabilities of children across seven dimensions: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, protection, health, education, poverty, and child survival. This report includes updated data and models covering a broader range of hazards and vulnerabilities, compared to UNICEF’s 2021 The climate crisis is a child rights crisis report. The analysis now encompasses most countries and territories – including Small Island Developing States – and utilises a pixel-level multi-hazard approach, providing higher-resolution data at a gridded scale. Hazard data are now available for areas as small as 100 square kilometres in each country, with some hazards mapped at a 100-metre resolution.Link to the Children's Climate Risk Report here. *Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are developing nations that lack territorial access to the sea. Often, the development of LLDCs is constrained by isolation from world markets and high trade costs.*Fragility: According to OECD, it is the combination of exposure to risk and insufficient resilience of a state, system and/or community to manage, absorb or mitigate those risks. In this report, countries classified as experiencing extreme or high fragility are grouped together and referred to as “fragile.”* Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of nations characterized by their small size and remote island geography. SIDS’ unique vulnerabilities include their small size, remoteness, narrow resource and export base, and exposure to external economic shocks.For further information, please contact:
Iris Bano Romero | UNICEF New York | ibano@unicef.orgAbout UNICEF
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube UNWOMENPRESS RELEASEHigh-Level Consultation in Karachi, Advances Coordinated Action to Prevent Femicide and Gender-Related Killings of Women and GirlsKarachi, Pakistan — 15 June 2026: Ministry of Human Rights and UN women organised a high level consultative session to discuss the issue of femicide and killing of women in pretext of so called honour in Karachi partnership with Sindh Human Rights Department and Sindh Commission on Status of women . The initiative has been taken in context of recent surge in cases of honour killings, and Government’s zero tolerance policy on violence Against Women . The consultation brought together representatives from federal and provincial government departments, justice sector institutions, medico-legal services, human rights bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, UN agencies, and women’s rights advocates to discuss priority actions for preventing femicide and other gender-related killings of women and girls, strengthening accountability, and improving protection and access to justice.In his remarks, Mr. Rajvir Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls and advancing human rights across the province. He stated: “The Government of Sindh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls through progressive legislation, institutional reforms, and partnerships with civil society and development partners. However, laws alone are not enough. We must strengthen implementation, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and foster a culture where violence against women and girls is not tolerated and never justified.”Speaking at the event, Ms. Rubina Brohi, Chairperson, Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW), emphasized the importance of collective action and stated: “There is no justification for violence committed in the name of so-called honour. We must strengthen implementation of existing laws, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and work together to challenge the harmful norms that continue to put women and girls at risk. Every woman and girl has the right to live with dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law.”Mr. Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting coordinated national and provincial efforts to prevent gender-related killings of women and girls and strengthen accountability for such crimes. He stated: “Through this consultation and the commitments adopted today, we are reaffirming our resolve to strengthen prevention, improve accountability, and ensure that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination."Speaking at the consultation, Ms. Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, said: “Every femicide is preventable. Ending these killings requires more than criminal justice responses—it requires changing the social norms that enable violence, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that evidence informs policy. Through our support to the National EVAWG Policy and Pakistan’s first National Study on Femicide, UN Women remains committed to working with government and civil society partners to prevent these crimes and advance the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Pakistan.”Presentations by Mr. Jameel Junejo, Secretary, Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh, and Dr. Sumaiyya Tariq, Chief Police Surgeon and Head of Medico-Legal Services, Sindh, highlighted trends in reported cases and institutional responses. Data presented during the consultation showed that 554 honour killing cases were processed and referred to relevant authorities between January 2024 and April 2026. Based on reported cases alone, these figures likely understate the true scale of the problem while highlighting persistent gaps in prevention, reporting, and accountability.The consultation concluded with the adoption of the “No Honour in Killing” Joint Communiqué, committing stakeholders to strengthen accountability, improve protection and support services, enhance data and evidence systems, reject parallel justice mechanisms that sanction violence, and invest in prevention through community engagement and social norms change.Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that gender-related killings of women and girls are prevented, prosecuted, and never justified under the guise of so-called honour, and that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence and discrimination.About UN WomenUN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men.For further information, please contact:Erum Fareed, Communications Officer, UN Women Pakistan
E: erum.fareed@unwomen.org M: +92 326 8474546 UNDPPRESS RELEASEGermany, UNDP, and Balochistan Government hand over climate-resilient houses to flood-affected families in Hanna-UrakQuetta, 15 June 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank and in partnership with the Government of Balochistan, handed over climate-resilient houses to families affected by the devastating 2022 floods in Hanna-Urak, Quetta District.The handover marks an important milestone under the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme (FRCP), through which UNDP is supporting the construction of 700 climate and disaster-resilient houses in Balochistan. Designed to withstand future climate and disaster risks, the houses provide flood-affected families with safe shelter while helping reduce their vulnerability to future shocks.The handover ceremony was attended by Mr. Mir Murad Baloch, Honorary Consul of Germany in Balochistan; Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan; Ms. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan; and senior representatives from the Government of Balochistan, including Mr. Zeeshan Javed, Secretary Planning, Planning and Development Department (P&DD); Mr. Usman Khalid, Secretary Implementation, Planning and Development Department (P&DD); Mr. Naveed Ahmed Sheikh, Director Planning and Coordination, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan; Mr. Yousuf Hashimi, Assistant Commissioner Quetta; and community members to celebrate the progress achieved through the initiative and reaffirm their commitment to advancing resilient recovery efforts in Balochistan.Highlighting Germany's continued partnership with Pakistan in advancing recovery and resilience efforts, Her Excellency Ms. Ina Lepel, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, said: “Today, we are inaugurating more than houses. We are celebrating a concrete step towards recovery and greater resilience. With the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme, German Development Cooperation together with UNDP is supporting both immediate reconstruction and stronger institutions for the future”.Highlighting the Government of Balochistan's commitment to resilient recovery, Mr. Zeshaan Javed, Planning Secretary, Government of Balochistan, welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing the province’s development and recovery challenges. He stated: “The scale of Balochistan’s challenges requires government, development partners, and communities to work together across all sectors. This initiative is a strong example of the impact that can be achieved through collaboration, supporting vulnerable communities while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for the province.”Built with resilience at their core, the newly constructed houses incorporate flood-resilient, seismic-resistant, and climate-adaptive features designed to withstand future hazards. For families who lost their houses during the 2022 floods, the handover represents not only access to safe, dignified shelter but also renewed hope for the future.Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, noted, "Recovery must go beyond replacing what was lost. It should also reduce future risks and create stronger foundations for communities to thrive. With financial support from the German Government, through KfW, and in partnership with the Balochistan government, UNDP is ensuring that these reconstruction efforts contribute to long-term resilience and sustainable development."Beyond the handover, the initiative reflects a broader shift in post-flood recovery from short-term assistance to partnership-driven, risk-informed reconstruction that protects lives, preserves development gains, and strengthens the foundations for more resilient communities.For further details, please contact Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.orgAbout UNDP:UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
Note to editors:To better understand the potential severity and frequency of climate threats throughout a child's life, the methodology uses a probabilistic model based on a 100-year return period. This approach captures extreme climate events that are highly likely to occur in any given year and highlights the most significant hazards children are exposed to.The CCRR 2026 looks at children’s exposure to eight climate hazards: coastal floods, droughts, extreme heat, fires, heatwaves, riverine floods, sand and dust storms, and tropical storms, as well as two climate-sensitive hazards such as air pollution and vector borne diseases; while considering inherent vulnerabilities of children across seven dimensions: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, protection, health, education, poverty, and child survival. This report includes updated data and models covering a broader range of hazards and vulnerabilities, compared to UNICEF’s 2021 The climate crisis is a child rights crisis report. The analysis now encompasses most countries and territories – including Small Island Developing States – and utilises a pixel-level multi-hazard approach, providing higher-resolution data at a gridded scale. Hazard data are now available for areas as small as 100 square kilometres in each country, with some hazards mapped at a 100-metre resolution.Link to the Children's Climate Risk Report here. *Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are developing nations that lack territorial access to the sea. Often, the development of LLDCs is constrained by isolation from world markets and high trade costs.*Fragility: According to OECD, it is the combination of exposure to risk and insufficient resilience of a state, system and/or community to manage, absorb or mitigate those risks. In this report, countries classified as experiencing extreme or high fragility are grouped together and referred to as “fragile.”* Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of nations characterized by their small size and remote island geography. SIDS’ unique vulnerabilities include their small size, remoteness, narrow resource and export base, and exposure to external economic shocks.For further information, please contact:
Iris Bano Romero | UNICEF New York | ibano@unicef.orgAbout UNICEF
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential.For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube UNWOMENPRESS RELEASEHigh-Level Consultation in Karachi, Advances Coordinated Action to Prevent Femicide and Gender-Related Killings of Women and GirlsKarachi, Pakistan — 15 June 2026: Ministry of Human Rights and UN women organised a high level consultative session to discuss the issue of femicide and killing of women in pretext of so called honour in Karachi partnership with Sindh Human Rights Department and Sindh Commission on Status of women . The initiative has been taken in context of recent surge in cases of honour killings, and Government’s zero tolerance policy on violence Against Women . The consultation brought together representatives from federal and provincial government departments, justice sector institutions, medico-legal services, human rights bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, UN agencies, and women’s rights advocates to discuss priority actions for preventing femicide and other gender-related killings of women and girls, strengthening accountability, and improving protection and access to justice.In his remarks, Mr. Rajvir Singh Sodha, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, reaffirmed the Government of Sindh’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls and advancing human rights across the province. He stated: “The Government of Sindh has consistently demonstrated its commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls through progressive legislation, institutional reforms, and partnerships with civil society and development partners. However, laws alone are not enough. We must strengthen implementation, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and foster a culture where violence against women and girls is not tolerated and never justified.”Speaking at the event, Ms. Rubina Brohi, Chairperson, Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW), emphasized the importance of collective action and stated: “There is no justification for violence committed in the name of so-called honour. We must strengthen implementation of existing laws, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and work together to challenge the harmful norms that continue to put women and girls at risk. Every woman and girl has the right to live with dignity, safety, and equal protection under the law.”Mr. Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting coordinated national and provincial efforts to prevent gender-related killings of women and girls and strengthen accountability for such crimes. He stated: “Through this consultation and the commitments adopted today, we are reaffirming our resolve to strengthen prevention, improve accountability, and ensure that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination."Speaking at the consultation, Ms. Fahmida Iqbal Khan, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, said: “Every femicide is preventable. Ending these killings requires more than criminal justice responses—it requires changing the social norms that enable violence, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that evidence informs policy. Through our support to the National EVAWG Policy and Pakistan’s first National Study on Femicide, UN Women remains committed to working with government and civil society partners to prevent these crimes and advance the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Pakistan.”Presentations by Mr. Jameel Junejo, Secretary, Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh, and Dr. Sumaiyya Tariq, Chief Police Surgeon and Head of Medico-Legal Services, Sindh, highlighted trends in reported cases and institutional responses. Data presented during the consultation showed that 554 honour killing cases were processed and referred to relevant authorities between January 2024 and April 2026. Based on reported cases alone, these figures likely understate the true scale of the problem while highlighting persistent gaps in prevention, reporting, and accountability.The consultation concluded with the adoption of the “No Honour in Killing” Joint Communiqué, committing stakeholders to strengthen accountability, improve protection and support services, enhance data and evidence systems, reject parallel justice mechanisms that sanction violence, and invest in prevention through community engagement and social norms change.Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that gender-related killings of women and girls are prevented, prosecuted, and never justified under the guise of so-called honour, and that every woman and girl in Pakistan can live free from violence and discrimination.About UN WomenUN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men.For further information, please contact:Erum Fareed, Communications Officer, UN Women Pakistan
E: erum.fareed@unwomen.org M: +92 326 8474546 UNDPPRESS RELEASEGermany, UNDP, and Balochistan Government hand over climate-resilient houses to flood-affected families in Hanna-UrakQuetta, 15 June 2026 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank and in partnership with the Government of Balochistan, handed over climate-resilient houses to families affected by the devastating 2022 floods in Hanna-Urak, Quetta District.The handover marks an important milestone under the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme (FRCP), through which UNDP is supporting the construction of 700 climate and disaster-resilient houses in Balochistan. Designed to withstand future climate and disaster risks, the houses provide flood-affected families with safe shelter while helping reduce their vulnerability to future shocks.The handover ceremony was attended by Mr. Mir Murad Baloch, Honorary Consul of Germany in Balochistan; Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan; Ms. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan; and senior representatives from the Government of Balochistan, including Mr. Zeeshan Javed, Secretary Planning, Planning and Development Department (P&DD); Mr. Usman Khalid, Secretary Implementation, Planning and Development Department (P&DD); Mr. Naveed Ahmed Sheikh, Director Planning and Coordination, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan; Mr. Yousuf Hashimi, Assistant Commissioner Quetta; and community members to celebrate the progress achieved through the initiative and reaffirm their commitment to advancing resilient recovery efforts in Balochistan.Highlighting Germany's continued partnership with Pakistan in advancing recovery and resilience efforts, Her Excellency Ms. Ina Lepel, Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, said: “Today, we are inaugurating more than houses. We are celebrating a concrete step towards recovery and greater resilience. With the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme, German Development Cooperation together with UNDP is supporting both immediate reconstruction and stronger institutions for the future”.Highlighting the Government of Balochistan's commitment to resilient recovery, Mr. Zeshaan Javed, Planning Secretary, Government of Balochistan, welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing the province’s development and recovery challenges. He stated: “The scale of Balochistan’s challenges requires government, development partners, and communities to work together across all sectors. This initiative is a strong example of the impact that can be achieved through collaboration, supporting vulnerable communities while contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for the province.”Built with resilience at their core, the newly constructed houses incorporate flood-resilient, seismic-resistant, and climate-adaptive features designed to withstand future hazards. For families who lost their houses during the 2022 floods, the handover represents not only access to safe, dignified shelter but also renewed hope for the future.Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, noted, "Recovery must go beyond replacing what was lost. It should also reduce future risks and create stronger foundations for communities to thrive. With financial support from the German Government, through KfW, and in partnership with the Balochistan government, UNDP is ensuring that these reconstruction efforts contribute to long-term resilience and sustainable development."Beyond the handover, the initiative reflects a broader shift in post-flood recovery from short-term assistance to partnership-driven, risk-informed reconstruction that protects lives, preserves development gains, and strengthens the foundations for more resilient communities.For further details, please contact Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, at fizza.bangash@undp.orgAbout UNDP:UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
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