Islamabad (TDI): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has concluded a critical emergency project that provided support to flood-hit farming and herding communities in Balochistan and Sindh, made possible through generous funding from the Government of Japan.
The FAO-led initiative, supported by a contribution of $6.48 million, focused on restoring food production, improving household nutrition, and building longer-term resilience in areas devastated by the unprecedented 2022 floods.
More than 74,000 households, equivalent to over 520,000 people, benefited from the program, which combined agricultural support with livestock protection and targeted assistance for female-headed families.
At a closing ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, key partners gathered to reflect on the project’s achievements. Among the attendees were Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, and FAO Representative Florence Rolle, along with officials from federal and provincial bodies.
Read More: WHO, FAO, ADB Join Hands with Pakistan for Pandemic Response
“The people of Japan stand in solidarity with those in Pakistan who are rebuilding their lives,” said Ambassador Akamatsu. “This project is one example of how our partnership can deliver real impact where it’s most needed.”
The recovery effort allowed more than 14,000 households to resume crop cultivation on over 1,500 hectares of rehabilitated land. Crops such as wheat, rice, maize, okra, and tomatoes were successfully grown, helping families secure food and regain incomes.
Read More: FAO Welcomes New Assistant Director-General’s Regional Rep for Asia Pacific
Livestock support was also a major component. Around 35,000 families received animal feed, poultry, mineral blocks, and small animals to help restart their herding activities. Over 629,000 animals were vaccinated under a wide-scale health campaign. Women-led households received special assistance, including livestock packages and hands-on training to generate steady earnings.
“This initiative helped restore not just livelihoods but also hope,” said FAO’s Florence Rolle. “Families that had lost nearly everything are now able to stand on their feet again.”
The program also introduced farmers and local partners to climate-smart agriculture and resilient livestock practices, equipping communities to better face future climate shocks. The project was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and other national stakeholders.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
