Islamabad (TDI): Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has emphasized the need to expand the scope of climate resilience programs, highlighting the need to strengthen early warning systems, improve community preparedness, and reduce risks faced by vulnerable populations.
He made the appeal during a meeting in Islamabad with Coco Ushiyama, the World Food Program’s (WFP) Country Director for Pakistan.
Gilani highlighted the severe impact of recent climate-related disasters, particularly in South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where widespread flooding and extreme weather have destroyed crops, wiped out livestock, and deepened poverty. He called for sustained international support to provide both emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation in these regions.
The acting president also emphasized the importance of real-time humanitarian assistance to safeguard livelihoods and ensure the survival of at-risk groups. He underlined the role of Pakistan’s Parliament in working closely with partners such as the WFP to keep interventions focused on grassroots needs. Gilani praised the WFP for its longstanding role in combating hunger and malnutrition, particularly during relief operations in flood-hit areas.
Read More: UN Reaffirms Support for Pakistan’s Climate Agenda
Ushiyama reaffirmed the WFP’s commitment to Pakistan, noting the organization’s willingness to collaborate with the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to tackle child malnutrition and stunting. She also expressed interest in engaging with Senate committees on health and food security to deepen cooperation in these critical sectors.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to start preparing a comprehensive climate resilience action plan ahead of the 2026 monsoon season. He stressed that the plan must address Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to intense rainfall and flooding.
Read More: Pakistan, WFP Prioritize Climate Adaptability That Helps Prevent Malnutrition
Recent flooding has caused widespread destruction, affecting more than 4.7 million people. Hundreds of villages have been inundated, displacing thousands and creating an urgent humanitarian crisis, with relief operations continuing across the country.
