UK pledges £1.33m aid for Pakistan’s flood-hit communities

WEB DESK: The United Kingdom has announced £1.33 million in humanitarian aid to support Pakistan’s response to the devastation caused by this year’s monsoon season.

The funding is expected to benefit more than 223,000 people across seven flood-affected districts in Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Relief for flood-hit families

The support package covers both emergency relief and early recovery efforts. Assistance includes the distribution of dry food rations, mobile medical camps in areas where health facilities were damaged, and the rehabilitation of drinking water systems and irrigation channels. Shelter materials, dignity kits for women, and livelihood support for farmers are also being provided.

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British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG, OBE, said the UK’s help was reaching communities most in need.

“Through UK-funded programmes, vital assistance is reaching communities affected by flooding and landslides. Working closely with national and provincial authorities and partners, the UK remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s disaster response and resilience,” she said.

Boosting rescue and preparedness

As part of this support, the UK has trained 2,400 community volunteers in search and rescue operations. Twenty-five of them, from Charsadda, have joined Rescue 1122 teams in Buner, where many people remain missing or trapped under debris.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) is helping to coordinate relief efforts in Swat and Buner, ensuring aid reaches those in need efficiently.

Strengthening disaster readiness

Beyond immediate relief, the UK is also working with the Sindh government through its Subnational Governance programme, implemented by the UNDP. The initiative has already helped set up Disaster Risk Reduction Wings at provincial and district levels, with funding approved by the Sindh government.

A disaster preparedness dashboard has also been developed for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. The system integrates data on safe shelters, medical supplies, and emergency equipment to enable faster, more coordinated responses when disasters strike.

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