Pakistan: EU mobilises over €16.5 million in humanitarian aid for most vulnerable

The Commission is providing €16.5 million to assist the most vulnerable people in Pakistan who have been affected by conflict as well as climate-induced disasters.

Of the overall allocation, €15 million will fund humanitarian organisations in Pakistan to provide food assistance, shelter, water and sanitation services as well as supporting Afghan refugees and their host communities.

The other €1.5 million will focus on disaster preparedness programmes to promote climate resilience, foster coordination with local authorities and enhance the response.

The EU mobilised €30 million in humanitarian aid and coordinated the incoming assistance from Member States channelled through its Civil Protection Mechanism in response to the devastating floods that hit Pakistan in summer 2022.

A year after, the funding announced today will also ensure continued support to those who lost resources and struggle to recover from the flood disaster.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "1 year after the disaster, the lives of millions of people in Pakistan are still affected by the consequences of the 2022 flooding emergency. The already difficult humanitarian situation has significantly worsened, and people struggle to cope with loss and damages. With this new funding, we will continue to support people in need in Pakistan, including refugees and asylum seekers. The funding will also help to ensure a renewed disaster preparedness investment in the country. Empowering local communities to be better prepared to face climate shocks remains our top priority."

Background

In summer 2022, Pakistan faced the worst floods in its recent history which affected 33 million people, killing over 1,700 people, and destroying at least 2.2 million houses. The floods submerged almost a third of the country and massively impacted agricultural production, resulting in a dramatic heightening of humanitarian needs.

The spillover of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is also affecting neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, which also continue to deal with cross-border displacement.

Pakistan has hosted refugees for over four decades. The estimated Afghan population in Pakistan amounts to around 3.7 million, including a deemed 1.6 million undocumented Afghans and those of other status.

The EU has allocated over €136 million in humanitarian assistance for Pakistan since 2016 and has been supporting the country since the 1990s, offering support in the wake of major disasters such as the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 and 2015 floods.