World Bank commits $213 million for Balochistan’s flood recovery and climate resilience

The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has granted $213 million in funding to Balochistan for the purpose of improving livelihoods, essential services, and risk protection in communities that were affected by the devastating floods in 2022.

This financial assistance is part of a larger program established in collaboration with the government to address the aftermath of the floods and build a climate-resilient Pakistan.

Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, expressed the organization’s commitment to closely cooperate with the Government of Balochistan in supporting the affected communities. The World Bank aims to provide livelihood support and rehabilitate irrigation and flood protection infrastructure.

These efforts will not only restore the livelihoods of the affected population but also enhance their resilience to potential future climate-related disasters and natural hazards. The project aligns with the comprehensive package of post-flood rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction program agreed upon with the authorities.

The floods of the previous year were a result of record monsoon rains in the southern and southwestern regions of Pakistan, compounded by glacial melt in the northern areas. The calamity affected nearly 33 million people in the country, which has a population of 220 million. Tragically, the floods claimed over 1,700 lives and caused substantial damage to homes, crops, bridges, roads, and livestock.

The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (IFRAP) outlined by the World Bank will provide housing reconstruction grants to approximately 35,100 homeowners. It will also focus on restoring essential services by rehabilitating damaged community infrastructure and facilities, such as water supply systems, irrigation networks, roads, and community facilities.

Balochistan, with its geographical location, socioeconomic background, and vulnerability to climate change, faces significant risks from natural disasters. Yoro Sidibe, a Senior Water Specialist at the World Bank, emphasized that the project aims to provide economic opportunities to the affected communities while ensuring social inclusion and participation. Additionally, it will enhance institutional capacity for preparedness and response to future disasters.

The World Bank expects that the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project will benefit approximately 2.7 million people in selected communities across Balochistan’s calamity-declared districts. The project’s objectives include the restoration of degraded watersheds and the strengthening of institutional capacity at both the provincial and local levels.