Pakistan is increasingly facing the brunt of climate change, as evident from the rapidly shifting and abnormal weather patterns across the country. Events such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, glacial lake outbursts, forest fires, and sudden hailstorms are becoming more frequent, posing serious challenges to local communities, provincial and national governments, disaster management authorities, and civil society organizations.
The recent intense hailstorm in Islamabad is just one example of how unpredictable weather events are becoming, with limited forecasting and communication from institutions such as the Pakistan Meteorological Department. These challenges highlight the urgent need for improved preparedness, forecasting, and response systems.
Against this backdrop, the concept of localization—empowering local actors to take the lead in humanitarian and development efforts—is gaining traction in Pakistan. The country has a vibrant landscape of local organizations, with over 100,000 NGOs registered as according to Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP). However, despite their growing presence, local organizations often struggle to respond effectively due to a host of systemic and operational challenges.
One of the significant barriers to effective humanitarian response in Pakistan is the restrictive regulatory environment. Under current policies enforced by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), NGOs are required to obtain a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for each individual project. This process is further complicated by the extensive screening procedures necessary to acquire a No Objection Certificate (NOC), often leading to prolonged delays. Such obstacles not only stall the timely implementation of critical humanitarian programs but also risk undermining donor confidence, occasionally resulting in the withdrawal of financial support.
These delays can severely impact the effectiveness of local and international organizations that are eager to respond swiftly to emergencies. While the EAD maintains a structured and rigorous process, there is an urgent need to introduce reforms that prioritize efficiency and flexibility. Streamlining the approval procedures would not only enhance program execution but also reinvigorate the morale of humanitarian actors who are working tirelessly to meet the rising needs on the ground.
In addition to procedural challenges, financial constraints are becoming a growing concern. The global reduction in humanitarian funding has affected many local NGOs disproportionately. Donor priorities may not always align with the on-ground needs in Pakistan, making it difficult for local organizations to secure funding for critical interventions in high-need areas. While there is a strong push for the fulfillment of the “Grand Bargain” commitment—allocating 25% of humanitarian funding directly to local organizations—this has yet to be fully realized in practice.
Capacity constraints further compound these issues. Many local NGOs still require significant technical support and guidance from international organizations to scale up their operations and implement programs effectively. Although capacity- strengthening remains a key priority for many donor-funded programs and INGOs, limited resources often restrict the extent to which this support can be provided. In light of these limitations, local organizations must explore alternative avenues such as crowd-funding, philanthropic ventures, and public-private partnerships to expand their operations and reduce dependency on traditional funding streams.
Despite the challenges, there are several promising initiatives promoting localization in Pakistan. One such initiative is the ToGether 2.0 program, which is being implemented in eight countries including Pakistan. Supported by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), the program is led by consortium lead Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and other international organizations such as Caritas International, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Malteser International, in collaboration with 40 local humanitarian partners.
In Pakistan, WHH works with organizations like IDEA, RCDS, CDF, FRDP, and DANISH across the provinces of KP, Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab. The program aims to strengthen local humanitarian capacities, ensuring that responses are timely, inclusive, accountable, and led by local actors.
Another significant effort is the READY Pakistan initiative, supported by the START Network. This coalition includes 54 organizations—both national and international—committed to anticipatory action to deal with disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme heatwaves. READY Pakistan emphasizes equitable partnerships, resource sharing, and innovative action planning, reinforcing the importance of localization in humanitarian response.
Although these programs offer a hopeful outlook, achieving effective localization in Pakistan requires systemic changes and strong commitments from all stakeholders. The government must adopt more flexible policies to facilitate the work of local NGOs, especially at the district level, where disaster risk management capacities are often weakest. Strengthening local institutions, particularly disaster management authorities at the district level, will enhance the country’s ability to respond to crises more effectively and independently.
International donors, INGOs, and the UN also have a vital role to play. There is a need to create more partnership opportunities based on mutual respect, equitable distribution of resources, and shared responsibility. Easing access to pooled emergency funds and encouraging innovative funding mechanisms will empower local organizations to act swiftly and effectively when disasters strike.
In conclusion, localization is not merely a policy trend but a necessary shift in Pakistan’s humanitarian landscape. While the country is highly disaster-prone and lacks sufficient resources at multiple levels, it also shows strong determination to lead local responses.
To achieve meaningful localization, the efforts of national and local NGOs must be matched with consistent international support, flexible governance, and strategic partnerships. With the right investment and policy reforms, localization can transform humanitarian response in Pakistan into a more resilient, community-driven, and sustainable system.
Zartasha Niazi
Zartasha Niazi is a Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Officer at IDEA.
