Pakistan

Introduction

Pakistan is facing a complex humanitarian emergency driven by:

• conflict and insecurity
• large-scale displacement
• recurrent climate-related disasters 
• persistent socio-economic vulnerabilities 

These overlapping crises affect Pakistani and Afghan populations and host communities, with humanitarian needs particularly acute in conflict- and disaster-affected areas.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness:

What are the needs?

Pakistan hosts an estimated 1.6 to 2 million Afghans with various legal statuses and has hosted Afghan refugees for more than 4 decades. Since the launch of the illegal foreigners repatriation plan in 2023, more than 2.7 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan. 

Those remaining face: 

• uncertainty over their legal status
• limited access to essential services
• education and livelihoods
• heightened protection risks linked to arrests, detention and the threat of return
   

Providing protection and basic lifesaving services

Pakistan also faces recurrent floods, droughts, earthquakes and other climate-related hazards, which exacerbate food insecurity, malnutrition, loss of livelihoods and limited access to basic services. Around 7.5 million people in vulnerable districts face acute food insecurity, while more than 2.7 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition.

The security situation has further deteriorated, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces and along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Conflict and insecurity have caused displacement, restricted movement and disrupted access to basic services. Humanitarian needs are particularly acute among forcibly displaced Afghans, conflict-affected communities and people affected by recurrent climate-related disasters.

How are we helping?

In 2026, the EU allocated over €11 million in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness in Pakistan. EU humanitarian assistance supports vulnerable Afghan populations and their host communities, as well as Pakistani communities affected by conflict and climate-related hazards. EU humanitarian aid prioritises:

• protection
• integrated primary healthcare
• nutrition
• education in emergencies
• disaster preparedness

Addressing humanitarian needs

EU-funded humanitarian projects provide vulnerable Afghans and affected Pakistani communities with access to healthcare, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, protection services and other essential assistance. Assistance is provided based on humanitarian needs, without discrimination based on legal or documentation status.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, EU humanitarian assistance also supports people affected by conflict and displacement, including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other areas affected by insecurity. The response includes support to displaced populations and host communities, while strengthening access to essential services and protection.

Disaster preparedness

Given Pakistan's high exposure to recurrent disasters, the EU also supports disaster preparedness, contingency planning and anticipatory action. This includes strengthening local response capacities and preparedness for sudden- and slow-onset hazards such as floods and droughts, building on the experience of the devastating 2022 floods.

The EU has provided humanitarian assistance in Pakistan for several decades, including support to people affected by the 2005 earthquake and the 2010-2011 floods. Following the devastating 2022 floods, the EU mobilised substantial additional humanitarian funding to support the response and recovery.