The German government is collaborating with UNDP for Pakistan’s flood recovery and reconstruction initiatives. The partnership also involves KfW and the World Bank in addressing post-flood challenges in Pakistan and supporting the country to recover and rebuild after the devastating floods.
The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ) through the KfW Development Bank has announced an allocation of EUR 12 million for the initiative.
“This is a critical and timely program in support of Pakistan’s post-flood development framework. As an infrastructure development bank, KfW takes pride in investing in infrastructure development and climate change adaptation in Pakistan,” KfW Country Director Sebastian Jacobi said.
With BMZ’s funding following the 2022 floods, KfW has so far invested EUR 50 million in flood recovery, reconstruction, and social protection in Pakistan. This program will facilitate an overarching multilateral policy and institutional support.
Pakistan is one of the top ten countries affected by climate change, with the 2022 floods underscoring the challenge’s unpredictability, magnitude, and adverse impacts. The consequences of the 2022 floods were borne by 3 million people, leaving families without a source of income and with little or no access to even the most basic amenities of life.
UNDP in partnership with the World Bank will provide support under a framework agreement for effective implementation of Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF) for three years.
With Germany’s financial assistance, the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme will support the flood-affected population in Pakistan through an expedited and integrated implementation of 4RF, including reconstructing houses in Balochistan.
UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk said that their partnership with the Government of Germany is of critical importance as it combines international expertise with local knowledge to help address the challenges faced after the 2022 floods.
The partnership with the World Bank would help ensure that the funds pledged in January 2023 at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva for Climate Resilience are used transparently and efficiently, Dr Rizk said.
Dr. Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan said that the Government of Pakistan, with support from bilateral and multilateral partners, is engaging in an ambitious reconstruction program for flood-affected areas. : “The inclusiveness of this effort will depend on the ability to direct limited funds to those communities and households which are most in need, and under this partnership, we are providing support which strengthens the transparency during the flood reconstruction. We reaffirm our commitment to support the flood-affected people.”
The 2022 floods impacted the lives and livelihoods of 33 million people, causing 1,700 deaths, displacing 8 million people, and pushing 9 million people of the most vulnerable populations into extreme poverty.