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Crisis Overview

Pakistan is currently facing one of its most devastating monsoon emergencies in recent history. Since the onset of the rains in late June, relentless downpours intensified by cross-border water releases, have triggered widespread riverine flooding across Punjab and recurrent flash floods and landslides in northern and mountainous regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

As of early September, over 883 lives have been lost, with more than 1.8 million people displaced nationwide. Punjab, the country’s agricultural heartland, has been particularly hard-hit, with over 3.9 million people affected, thousands of villages inundated, and entire wheat-producing districts submerged. Emergency responders have deployed boats, drones, and mobile relief camps to reach isolated communities, yet access remains limited in many areas.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flash floods and landslides have destroyed homes, schools, and roads, cutting off entire villages. Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan have added another layer of destruction, wiping out water systems and power infrastructure. Urban flooding in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas—has caused fatalities, submerged roads, and damaged crops and homes4.

Despite large-scale evacuations and the relocation of over 900,000 individuals, humanitarian needs continue to outpace response capacity. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warns of sustained high flows in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers, with floodwaters projected to reach the Guddu Barrages, posing downstream threats to Sindh and straining evacuation and flood defense systems.

Key Risks and Impact

SectorImpact
Shelter & Displacement4,700+ homes destroyed and hundreds of thousands displaced, many sheltering in schools or with host communities.
Urgent need for emergency tents, winterisation kits, and transitional shelter as floodwaters recede.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)Widespread contamination of water sources and collapse of sanitation infrastructure.
Rising cases of malaria, skin infections, and diarrheal diseases, especially in urban flood zones and remote valleys.
Critical gaps in hygiene kits, clean water access, and disease prevention measures.
HealthDamage to 40+ health facilities, disruption of medicine supply chains, and limited disease surveillance capacity.
WHO and partners are scaling up vector control and outbreak containment, but access remains a challenge in cut-off areas.
Food Security & LivelihoodsAgricultural losses mounting across Punjab and Sindh, with thousands of acres of crops destroyed.
Livestock deaths and disrupted supply chains threaten food availability and income for rural households.
Need for cash-for-work programs to support debris clearance and recovery
Protection & EducationOver 400 schools damaged or closed, leaving children without safe learning spaces.
Increased protection risks for women, girls, and displaced families, with urgent need for dignity kits, psychosocial support, and safe shelters.
Forecast & Climate RisksMeteorological forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall and landslides through early September, especially in eastern Punjab and northern highlands.
GLOFs and unstable glacial lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan pose ongoing threats, exacerbated by climate change and rising temperatures

ADRRN has highlighted the urgent need to strengthen inclusive early warning and early action systems, backed by transformative investment in disaster risk reduction (DRR) to break Pakistan’s recurring cycle of flood-related loss and damage. Priority areas include:

  • Community-based DRR; training local residents in search and rescue
  • Forming Emergency response teams
  • Building local capacity for immediate medical and psychosocial support

Advancing locally-led climate adaptation requires complementing community knowledge with scientific and technical support to effectively address evolving risks.

Immediate Humanitarian Needs

The 2025 monsoon floods have triggered a nationwide humanitarian emergency, with over 2 million people affected and more than 880 lives lost. Punjab remains the epicenter, but downstream threats to Sindh and cascading disasters in Gilgit-Baltistan are rapidly escalating humanitarian needs across provinces.

Priority Needs Across Pakistan:

  • Shelter & NFIs: Over 4,700 homes destroyed; displaced families urgently require tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and kitchen sets. Winterisation items are critical in northern regions.
  • Multipurpose Cash Assistance: Where markets remain functional, cash support is critical to enable families to meet diverse needs; food, medicine, transport, and shelter, while preserving dignity and choice.
  • Health Services: More than 40 health facilities damaged; rising cases of malaria, dengue, and diarrheal diseases demand mobile health units, medicines, and disease surveillance.
  • Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Contaminated water sources and collapsed sanitation systems have led to surging infections. Hygiene kits, safe water access, and sanitation facilities are urgently needed.
  • Food Security & Livelihoods: Agricultural losses in Punjab and Sindh threaten food availability. Livestock deaths and disrupted supply chains require food rations and cash-for-work support.
  • Protection & Education: Over 400 schools damaged or closed; children face heightened protection risks. Dignity kits, safe learning spaces, and psychosocial support are essential.
  • Climate & Disaster Risk: Forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall and landslides. Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan compound risks, especially with winter approaching.

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) Response

Anticipatory Action in Sindh: With upstream river discharges threatening a “super flood” in Sindh, CWSA has activated anticipatory measures across flood-prone districts:

  • Pre-positioned supplies: Lifesaving medicines, medical equipment, and hygiene kits stocked at Umerkot warehouse.
  • Mobile health units: Strategically placed for rapid deployment.
  • Risk communication: Disseminating early warnings, safe water guidance, evacuation protocols, and disease prevention messages in local languages.
  • Coordination: Working closely with PDMA Sindh, health agencies, and cluster partners to ensure targeted, inclusive response and avoid duplication.

Despite these efforts, additional support is urgently needed to scale operations, particularly for reaching remote communities and covering operational costs.

Continuous Response in Gilgit-Baltistan

In response to GLOFs and monsoon-triggered landslides, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) has launched emergency relief in Hunza and surrounding districts:

  • Emergency Relief Kits: Distributed to affected households.
  • Winterisation & NFIs: Planned distributions of household items and kitchen sets to mitigate cold-related risks (if funds are mobilised)
  • Food & Shelter Assistance: New projects initiated to support displaced families.
Emergency Relief Kits distribution.

Emergency Relief Kits distribution.

However, significant gaps remain:

  • Many households remain unreached due to access and resource constraints.
  • Additional winterisation, sanitation, and shelter supplies are needed.
  • Multipurpose cash support is critical where markets remain functional.
  • Enhanced coordination with local authorities is required to facilitate last-mile delivery.

Coordination & Accountability

CWSA continues to work in close coordination with NDMA, PDMAs, UN agencies, and humanitarian clusters and working groups and with ACT members in the country to harmonise response efforts and avoid duplication. As Co-Chair of the AAP Working Group in Pakistan, CWSA places communities at the centre of response, ensuring fair access to aid, clear information in local languages, safe feedback channels, and inclusive decision-making. However, the scale of the crisis demands urgent and flexible funding to translate readiness into lifesaving action.

Urgent Funding Priorities:

  • Expand anticipatory action in Sindh with rapid deployment capacity and community communication.
  • Scale up winterisation, shelter, and cash support in Gilgit-Baltistan based on community-identified needs.
  • Strengthen logistics and last-mile transport to reach high-risk, remote communities.

Without timely and flexible funding, the humanitarian toll in Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other provinces will continue to rise. CWSA stands ready to respond, grounded in local partnerships, strategic coordination, and a commitment to inclusive, dignified humanitarian action.

Contacts:

Shama Mall
Deputy Regional Director
Programs & Organisational Development
Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

Palwashay Arbab
Head of Communication
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

References

  • ADRRN Statement on Recent Disasters in Afghanistan and Pakistan – ADRRN
  • Live Updates: Pakistan floods 2025 – DAWN.COMhttps://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1336438-trail-of-death-and-destruction-rescuers-recover-bodies-as-rains-floods-toll-tops-350
  • OCHA Update – September 3, 2025
  • https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2025/08/109815/monsoon-floods-kill-more-700-pakistan-heavy-rains-set-continue
  • https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2025/08/109815/monsoon-floods-kill-more-700-pakistan-heavy-rains-set-continueNational Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Report August 17
  • https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/pakistan-evacuates-million-people-farming-belt-hit-by-worst-floods-decades-2025-08-28
  • https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/aug/30/pakistan-punjab-province-deadly-floods-disease

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As climate-induced disasters intensify across Pakistan, the remote region of Gilgit Baltistan stands at the frontline; battered by glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, and relentless monsoon rains. Entire communities have been uprooted, homes destroyed, and livelihoods lost.

This photo essay documents the unfolding humanitarian crisis through the eyes of those living it. It captures not only the devastation but also the extraordinary resilience of families navigating loss and uncertainty. Their stories reveal urgent needs for shelter, food, healthcare, and long-term recovery, and call for a coordinated, compassionate response.

CWSA is on the ground, working with local partners to deliver life-saving aid and advocate for climate justice. These images are more than documentation, they are a call to stand in solidarity.

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Photo credits: The Guardian

Crisis Overview

Pakistan is facing one of its deadliest monsoon seasons in recent history. Since late June, relentless rains have triggered flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Over 650 lives have been lost, with 351 deaths reported in KP alone in the past 72 hours. Entire villages have been swept away, infrastructure crippled, and thousands displaced.

The situation is particularly dire in KP’s Buner district, where 204 fatalities have been confirmed and entire communities have been obliterated. In GB, GLOFs have destroyed roads and homes, isolating vulnerable populations and complicating relief efforts.

Key Risks & Impact Highlights

SectorImpact
Lives & Injuries657 deaths, 929 injuries nationwide; KP worst affected
Shelter2,462 homes damaged; mass displacement in KP, GB, and AJK
Infrastructure152 bridges destroyed; major road closures including Karakoram Highway
LivelihoodsCrop and livestock losses; economic devastation in rural districts
HealthRising cases of trauma, waterborne diseases, and mental health distress
ProtectionHeightened risks of GBV, exploitation, and early marriage in displacement settings

Immediate Humanitarian Needs

  • Search & Rescue Operations in landslide-prone and inaccessible areas
  • Emergency Shelter & NFIs including tents, blankets, lighting, and kitchen sets
  • Safe Drinking Water & Hygiene Kits to prevent disease outbreaks
  • Mobile Health Services for trauma, maternal care, and psychosocial support
  • Food Assistance & Cash Support for families cut off from supply routes
  • Debris Clearance & Road Access Restoration to reopen relief corridors
  • Protection Services for women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities
  • Early Warning Systems & Community Alerts for continued rainfall and GLOF threats

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) Response & Preparedness

Community World Service Asia has launched emergency relief operations in Hunza and Nagar districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, which are among the most remote, and hard to reach areas of Northern Pakistan. Hunza and Nagar are nestled within the Karakoram Range, and are surrounded by some of the highest Karakoram peaks like Rakaposhi, Golden Peak, and Ultar. These districts are most affected by recent climate change impacts, despite zero contribution to emissions. CWSA is distributing Emergency Relief Kits to 150 families in these two districts. These kits include food items, first aid, and hygiene supplies tailored to restore dignity and safety.

CWSA is coordinating closely with NDMA, PDMAs, and local partners and intends to scale its emergency response activities in areas where it already has a strong field presence, while retaining the flexibility to expand operations as the crisis develops. Built on existing local networks and partnerships, the response will remain adaptive, inclusive, and community-driven. Our approach prioritises:

  • Mobile Health Units for emergency care and psychosocial support
  • Temporary Shelters for families who have lost their homes
  • Protection-Focused Spaces for women and children
  • Gender-Responsive Programming across all sectors
  • Multipurpose Cash Assistance & In-Kind Support
  • Community Engagement & Accountability Mechanisms

Call to Action

Community World Service Asia urges humanitarian partners, donors, and media to amplify the voices of affected communities and support a coordinated, dignified response. The scale of devastation demands urgent action to prevent further loss of life and restore hope for thousands.

Contacts:

Shama Mall
Deputy Regional Director
Programs & Organisational Development
Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

PalwashayArbab
Head of Communication
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

References

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Married at the age of 17, Lakshmi assumed the weight of household responsibilities early in life. With her husband, Laalu, working as a labourer in the city to support the family, Lakshmi remained the steady anchor at home. Together, they raised four young children, three sons and a daughter, all between the ages of five and ten. Despite limited resources and daily challenges, Lakshmi nurtured a modest but fulfilling life, grounded in resilience and the warmth of her family.

Five years ago, Lakshmi’s world was turned upside down when her husband, Laalu, tragically passed away after a snake bite. Fate did not give her a chance to fully grieve the loss of her partner. Overnight, she became the sole caregiver and breadwinner for their young children, forced to navigate an uncertain and demanding future entirely on her own.

Now 32, Lakshmi continues to shoulder the full responsibility of raising her family. To survive, she and her children work together as labourers in fields of Village Lakho Kolhi, striving each day to meet their most basic needs.

In 2021, driven by quiet determination, Lakshmi took a bold step to improve her family’s future by breeding two goats, establishing a modest but stable source of income. It was a turning point that promised a path toward self-reliance. However, less than a year later, the catastrophic floods of 2022 swept across Pakistan, displacing thousands and claiming countless lives and livestock.

Lachmi’s village, Lakho Kolhi in Umerkot, was among the hardest hit. The deluge reduced homes to rubble and left the community submerged in devastation, erasing what little security they had built. Lakshmi and her family lost their most treasured possession, their home, and faced a heartbreaking reality. The destruction was so extensive that rebuilding was impossible. With no other option, they were forced to flee and start over, carrying with them only resilience and the will to endure.

With nowhere to go, Lachmi and her children found themselves in her brother-in-law’s house, who himself had relocated to village Anwar Pathan with his family in search of safer grounds. In a time when everyone around them was grappling with uncertainty and hardship, his support was both rare and deeply meaningful. Within that borrowed shelter, Lakshmi tried to rebuild a sense of home for her children, even as daily survival weighed heavily on her mind. The question of how to feed her family was a constant worry, one that echoed the broader struggle shared by countless families, especially single mothers, facing the aftermath of displacement.

Living in someone else’s home brought a host of challenges for Lachmi, from compromised dignity to concerns over safety and protection. She endured mistreatment and a lack of respect from the household members, all while carrying the weight of worry for her children’s well-being.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods, Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in partnership with Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) and the Canadian Food grains Bank (CFGB), launched a Cash for Food initiative aimed at restoring dignity and choice to families like Lakshmi’s. The program provided unconditional cash assistance of PKR 20,000 per month for three months, March, May, and June 2025, empowering flood-affected households to address their food security based on their specific needs. 

With the first installment, Lachmi prioritised her family’s stability. She spent PKR 10,000 (USD 35) to buy wheat flour, to ensure a reliable supply of food in the weeks ahead. Another PKR 6,000 (USD 21) went toward repaying a debt she had incurred just to feed her children, a financial weight she had long carried.  The remaining PKR 4,000 ( USD 14), was carefully allocated to purchasing sugar, rice, and vegetables, allowing her to provide balanced nutrition with renewed peace of mind. In a move that reflected both vision and resilience, Lakshmi used the second installment to purchase two young goats, an investment in future sustainability. As the goats grow, she plans to sell their milk locally, establishing a modest yet dependable source of income for her household..

With the third and final cash installment, Lakshmi embraced a moment of joy amidst hardship. She lovingly chose new clothes for her children, spending nearly PKR 5,000 ( USD 18) on new clothes for them to bring smiles and a sense of normalcy to their lives. The remaining PKR 15,000 (USD 53) was set aside to secure their food supply, a deliberate decision rooted in maternal foresight. “Even if we have nothing else,” Lakshmi shared, “we should have wheat in the cabinets, so we never go to bed hungry.”

Lachmi has courageously shared her journey with others, inspiring many through her resilience and determination. “Now we’re finding new ways to support our families,” she said. “Many women in our village have stepped up to help, especially after losing their livelihoods.”

Part of the funds also went toward purchasing medicine for her seven-year-old Gulji, who lives with epilepsy. Reflecting on how she used the assistance, Lachmi said, “The aid is temporary, and the money is meant to end someday. To truly benefit from it, I had to invest it with purpose.”

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As climate extremes intensify across Pakistan, vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and environmental degradation. This short video captures firsthand reflections from local residents and civil society on how climate change is reshaping their lives, livelihoods, and landscapes. Produced by Community World Service Asia & Leigh Larson, Week of Compassion, the film amplifies voices from the frontlines, calling for urgent, inclusive action to build resilience and protect those most at risk.

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Overview of the Situation

Pakistan is currently experiencing intensified monsoon rainfall, consistent with forecasts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and alerts issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Since late June, above-normal precipitation has impacted Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and displacement.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, temperatures have reached an unprecedented 48.5°C, accelerating glacial melt across the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram ranges. This has significantly heightened the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), particularly in historically stable regions like Shakyote, where agricultural lands and homes have been swept away.

Sindh, in southern Pakistan, is currently experiencing a moderate to high-risk period, with urban flooding impacting major cities and a continued threat of rural flooding. While rainfall in Sindh has not been as intense as in Punjab or KPK, the province remains highly vulnerable due to poor drainage and overstretched infrastructure. Additionally, heavy rains in northern and central Pakistan can increase flood risks in Sindh through rising river levels, hill torrents, snowmelt, and GLOF events, even if Sindh itself receives only light rainfall. Local authorities have issued advisories to all relevant stakeholders to ensure preparedness.

Geographic Areas at Risk

Province/RegionKey Areas/Districts at Risk
SindhKhairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Hyderabad, Karachi
PunjabRajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur
BalochistanLasbela, Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Sibi, Naseerabad
Khyber PakhtunkhwaSwat, Chitral, Dir, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Dera Ismail Khan
Gilgit-Baltistan & AJKHunza, Ghizer, Skardu, Muzaffarabad, Bagh
Urban CentersKarachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta

Humanitarian Impact (as of July 16, 2025)

  • 124 fatalities reported across five provinces
  • 264 injuries, primarily due to collapsed structures
  • 522 homes damaged, 126 livestock lost, and multiple roads and bridges destroyed
  • Thousands displaced, particularly in mountainous and flood-prone zones
  • Heightened vulnerability among women, children, and marginalised groups

Escalating Risks

  • Urban Flooding in major cities due to poor drainage
  • Flash Floods & Landslides in KPK, Punjab, GB, and Balochistan
  • Rural Inundation threatening food security in Sindh and southern Punjab
  • Waterborne Disease Outbreaks (cholera, malaria, dengue) due to stagnant water
  • Protection Concerns for displaced women, girls, and vulnerable communities
  • Recurring Disaster Zones still recovering from the 2022 super floods

Gendered & Inclusive Impact

Women, girls, and marginalised groups face disproportionate risks due to pre-existing inequalities. Displacement has disrupted access to maternal healthcare, education, and safe shelter. Overcrowded conditions and lack of gender-sensitive facilities increase exposure to gender-based violence and exploitation. Persons with disabilities, the elderly, and ethnic minorities face additional barriers to accessing relief.

Anticipated Needs

  • Emergency Shelter & Non-Food Items (NFIs)
  • WASH support (clean water, hygiene kits, sanitation)
  • Health services via mobile/static units
  • Food assistance (cash or in-kind)
  • Livelihood recovery for farmers and labourers
  • Protection services for vulnerable populations

CWSA Preparedness and Response

Community World Service Asia is actively coordinating with NDMA, PDMAs, and local partners to monitor the evolving crisis. Our response prioritises:

  • Gender-responsive programming across all sectors
  • Mobile health units for emergency care and psychosocial support
  • Protection-focused spaces for women and children
  • Emergency shelter and NFIs for displaced families
  • Cash-for-food assistance and in-kind distributions
  • Humanitarian Quality & Accountability mechanisms to ensure dignity and community engagement

Our multidisciplinary teams are ready to deploy in active field areas, with flexibility to expand operations as needed. CWSA will initiate its emergency operations in regions where we maintain an active presence and will scale up as needed, ensuring that our response is coordinated, adaptive, and rooted in local partnerships.

Rapid Response Fund Appeal

To enable swift, life-saving assistance, CWSA is establishing a Rapid Response Fund (RRF). We call on our partners to support this fund and strengthen our collective ability to respond efficiently and equitably, within 24 hours of the emergency. Together, we can act before the storm becomes catastrophe.

The 2025 monsoon and GLOF crisis underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient, people-centered humanitarian strategies. Without inclusive and sustained efforts, future disasters will continue to deepen inequalities and reverse development gains. CWSA remains committed to protecting lives, restoring dignity, and building resilience across Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.

Contacts:

Shama Mall
Deputy Regional Director
Programs & Organisational Development
Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

Palwashay Arbab
Head of Communication 
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

References

1193

Overview

Pakistan is confronting the onset of yet another large-scale climate disaster, as intensified monsoon rains and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) pose an escalating threat to millions across the country. As of June 29, at least 31 people have lost their lives in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), with flash floods in Swat Valley alone accounting for 11 fatalities, including several children. Search operations are underway to locate missing individuals, underscoring the immediate human cost of the worsening weather conditions.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast severe rainfall and flooding between June 29 and July 5, with alerts covering northeast Punjab, Kashmir, the Potohar plateau, Islamabad, and urban centers in southern Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, and Thatta. Northern regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, and Chitral remain at particular risk of GLOFs, landslides, and community isolation due to damaged roads and power outages.

Escalating Climate Risks

Pakistan’s 2025 monsoon season is projected to be particularly aggressive, bringing heightened risks of riverine and urban flooding, flash floods, and GLOFs. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of above-normal rainfall and temperature patterns, an extension of this year’s erratic spring marked by dust storms, hail, and thunderstorms.

With over 13,000 glaciers, many rapidly melting due to global warming, Pakistan’s mountainous north is especially vulnerable to GLOFs. The collapse of unstable moraines (natural ice-and-debris dams) can release torrents of water, mud, and rock, with devastating consequences for downstream communities.

Due to rising temperatures, glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges (the Hindu Kush, Himalayas and Karakorum) are melting rapidly and a total of 3,044 glacial lakes have developed in GilgitBaltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Of these, 33 glacial lakes have been assessed to be prone to hazardous glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF). This can lead to flash floods, threatening lives, livestock, agriculture, and infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Over 7.1 million people in GB and KPK provinces are likely to be affected: in these areas, 26.7 percent and 22 percent of the population, respectively, are below the poverty line.

GLOF are sudden events which can release millions of cubic metres of water and debris, leading to the loss of lives, property & livelihoods among affected communities.

NDMA has mapped GLOF sites in Pakistan with constant monitoring through satellite imagery and data from relevant line departments. Some of the vulnerable Glacier lakes include: Khurdopin Glacier, Badswat Glacier, Shisper Glacier, Chilinji Glacier, Ghulkin Glacier, Darkut Glacier, Reshun Glacier, etc.

NDMA’s latest Situation Analysis (June 29) highlights that more than 3,000 glacial lakes exist in the region, with 36 identified as vulnerable and 4–5 assessed as being at immediate risk of bursting in 2025. These unfolding events reflect not just a meteorological crisis but also a profound climate injustice: Pakistan remains among the countries most affected by climate change while contributing minimally to global emissions.

Widespread Impacts and Growing Vulnerabilities

  • Riverine Flooding: Swelling rivers such as the Swat, Kabul, and Chenab threaten to overflow, endangering settlements along their banks.
  • Urban and Flash Flooding: Major cities lack adequate drainage systems, increasing the risk of localized inundation and economic disruption.
  • Infrastructure Damage: Echoing the devastation of 2022, critical infrastructure, homes, roads, bridges, schools, faces renewed threat.
  • Agricultural Losses: Repeated monsoon shocks jeopardize crop yields and rural livelihoods, heightening food insecurity.
  • Health Risks: Stagnant water and displacement contribute to rising cases of cholera, dengue, malaria, and respiratory infections.
  • Displacement and Socioeconomic Stress: Displacement could climb into the millions, exacerbating inflation, poverty, and mental health strain.

Anticipated Humanitarian Needs

Given the high risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in several vulnerable regions, the need for timely and lifesaving emergency interventions is critical. These sudden and destructive floods can lead to loss of life, displacement, and severe damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, especially impacting women, children, and the elderly. Immediate response efforts, including access to healthcare, safe shelter, food, and essential non-food items, are essential to reduce suffering and protect the well-being of affected communities.

As the emergency unfolds, a multi-sector response will be vital. Expected needs include:

  1. Emergency Shelter & Non-Food Items: Tents, tarpaulins, bedding, kitchen sets, and lighting for displaced households.
  2. Food Security & Livelihoods: Ready-to-eat meals, dry rations, and livelihood rehabilitation for flood-affected communities.
  3. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Access to safe drinking water, hygiene kits, mobile toilets, and water purification supplies.
  4. Health & Nutrition: Mobile medical units, essential medicines, maternal care, treatment of communicable diseases, and nutrition screening.
  5. Protection Services: Safe spaces for women and children, GBV case management, psychosocial support, and referral systems.
  6. Education in Emergencies: Temporary learning spaces, school supplies, and catch-up support for affected students.
  7. Logistics & Access: Transportation of relief goods, access to remote communities, and coordination support.

Heightened Vulnerabilities Among Women and Children

Women and children in Pakistan face disproportionate risks during flood emergencies due to pre-existing inequalities, limited access to services, and heightened protection concerns. Displacement often disrupts access to maternal healthcare, education, and safe shelter, leaving women, particularly those who are pregnant or lactating, without essential medical support.

In 2022, over 1.6 million women of childbearing age were affected by floods, with many lacking access to reproductive health services. Children, especially girls, are frequently forced out of school, with some never returning to formal education. The destruction of schools and healthcare facilities, combined with overcrowded shelters lacking privacy and sanitation, increases the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and mental health challenges.

Malnutrition and disease further compound these vulnerabilities. UNICEF reported that more than 1 in 9 children in flood-affected areas were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with over 2 million children in need of urgent treatment. Poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and food insecurity exacerbate health risks, particularly for children under five and pregnant women. The lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure in relief camps, such as separate latrines, menstrual hygiene supplies, and safe spaces, leaves women and girls exposed to exploitation and trauma. These intersecting risks underscore the urgent need for a gender-responsive humanitarian response that prioritises protection, health, education, and dignity for women and children.

CWSA Preparedness and Response

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is actively coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and local stakeholders to monitor the rapidly evolving situation. As part of our preparedness strategy, we are prioritising the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls, children and the elderly, who face heightened risks during disasters due to systemic inequalities and limited access to services.

In recognition of these vulnerabilities, CWSA’s flood response plan incorporates gender-responsive programming across all sectors. This includes ensuring safe access to maternal and reproductive healthcare, the distribution of gender-sensitive hygiene kits, and the establishment of protection-focused spaces for women and children. Our mobile health and protection teams are being prepared to provide psychosocial support and referral services, especially in displacement settings where the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), exploitation, and child marriage tends to rise.

Community World Service Asia will launch immediate humanitarian operations in regions where it has an active field presence, with the flexibility to expand as the situation evolves. Grounded in strong local partnerships, the response will be coordinated, adaptive, and people-centered. Priority areas of intervention include:

  • Delivery of essential Health services through Mobile Health Units
  • Provision of Emergency shelter to displaced families
  • Distribution of critical Non-food items (NFIs)
  • Food assistance through in-kind packages or Cash-for-food modalities
  • Reinforcement of humanitarian Quality and Accountability mechanisms to ensure dignity and community engagement throughout the response

Rapid Response Fund Appeal

To facilitate immediate, life-saving humanitarian assistance, Community World Service Asia is activating a Rapid Response Fund (RRF). We urge our partners to contribute to this critical mechanism, designed to ensure a swift, coordinated response within the first 24 hours of a crisis.

Our multidisciplinary response team, comprised of trained professionals in emergency health, shelter, food security, protection, and logistics, is prepared to deploy rapidly to crisis-affected areas. With your support, the RRF will strengthen our collective ability to deliver timely, dignified, and effective aid where it’s needed most.

Contacts:

Shama Mall
Deputy Regional Director
Programs & Organisational Development
Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

Palwashay Arbab
Head of Communication
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

References

  • NDMA June 29 Report
  • The News- https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1325476-ndma-issues-fresh-alert-for-heavy-rains-in-parts-of-country
  • PMD Report – https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/06/26/pdma-alerts-line-departments-as-punjab-likely-to-receive-25pc-more-monsoon-rains-this-year/
  • World Bank Report – https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/10/28/pakistan-flood-damages-and-economic-losses-over-usd-30-billion-and-reconstruction-needs-over-usd-16-billion-new-assessme
  • Govt. of Pakistan – https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_23/Annex_III_Pakistan_Floods_2022.pdf
  • https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/pakistan/pakistan-2022-monsoon-floods-situation-report-no-19-12-august-2023
  • https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/2022-pakistan-floods-assessment-crop-losses-sindh-province-using-satellite-data
  • https://pakistan.un.org/en/198187-un-women-puts-women-and-girls-heart-flood-response-pakistan
  • https://www.unicef.org/rosa/press-releases/more-1-9-children-flood-affected-areas-pakistan-suffering-severe-acute-malnutrition
  • https://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/IPC_Pakistan_Acute_Malnutrition_Mar2023_Jan2024_report.pdf

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The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heatwave alert, forecasting a sharp rise in temperatures across much of the country. Daytime temperatures are expected to surge significantly, with Sindh and Balochistan projected to experience an increase of 6 to 8°C above normal levels. In some areas of Sindh, temperatures could soar as high as 46 to 48°C, posing serious risks to public health and well-being1. Authorities urge residents to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of extreme heat.

In Sindh’s Umerkot district, the heatwave is already intensifying, with temperatures expected to reach 47°C in the coming days. Unusually, this spike has occurred nearly a month earlier than the typical onset in mid-May, with extreme conditions beginning in mid-April. The heatwave is projected to persist through April, May, and June2.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

The heatwave is disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, individuals with chronic health conditions, and daily wage labourers exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. In Umerkot, these risks are exacerbated by limited access to clean drinking water, electricity, and healthcare services. Women, in particular, face increased burdens during such climate extremes, necessitating urgent, gender-sensitive interventions.

While no casualties have been reported so far, communities are facing major disruptions to daily life. Many residents remain indoors during peak afternoon hours, and CWSA health dispensaries have recorded a sharp decline in patient visits after 12 PM, underscoring the severity of the conditions.

Identified Humanitarian Needs

Several critical humanitarian needs have been identified to safeguard the most vulnerable populations and reduce the impact of extreme heat:

Emergency Health Services

  • Deployment of Mobile Medical Units to reach pregnant women, children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses in remote areas.
  • Provision of first aid and hydration therapy for those experiencing symptoms of heatstroke and dehydration.
  • Increased staffing and supplies at existing health dispensaries to manage potential surges in heat-related illnesses.

Access to Safe Drinking Water

  • Installation of temporary water stations in public spaces and high-risk areas.
  • Distribution of water containers and purification tablets to households with poor water access.
  • Ensuring clean water supply at schools, health facilities, and community centres.

Community Awareness and Behavioural Change

  • Mass awareness campaigns on heat safety, symptoms of heat exhaustion/stroke, and dehydration prevention.
  • Targeted education sessions through Village Management Committees (VMCs), particularly for women and children.
  • Promotion of protective behaviours, such as avoiding outdoor activities between 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, wearing light clothing, and staying hydrated.

Gender-Sensitive Support

  • Inclusion of women’s specific needs, especially for pregnant and lactating mothers.
  • Safe and private access points for women at water stations and medical services.
  • Distribution of IEC materials tailored for women and girls on self-care during heatwaves.

Infrastructure and Shelter Support

  • Setting up shaded relief centres and cooling zones in public areas, markets, and near labour sites.
  • Distribution of cooling aids like fans, umbrellas, and cloth shades for households.

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) Response

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) has launched a targeted heatwave response in Umerkot, Sindh, in collaboration with the Village Management Committees (VMCs) that it engages with at the community level. Awareness sessions are being held with men, women, and children to share critical information on hydration, heat protection, and behavioural safety—particularly urging residents to avoid outdoor activities between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

The VMCs are playing a pivotal role in strengthening community resilience by disseminating life-saving information and ensuring protection for the most at-risk populations. CWSA is also distributing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and offering first aid to affected individuals through its three operational health dispensaries.

In coordination with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), District Administration, and Health Department, CWSA is supporting plans to establish relief camps at hospitals and key public locations. These camps will provide access to clean drinking water, shade, and emergency medical care. Additionally, CWSA is prepared to deploy its Mobile Health Units, equipped with essential supplies, to provide outreach services across the desert union councils of Umerkot.

To address the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the region, CWSA aims to implement long-term resilience measures:

  • Establishment of community-based heatwave preparedness camps.
  • Creation of permanent heat resilience hubs in high-risk areas.
  • Training of Lady Health Workers and community volunteers in first aid, hydration therapy, and early detection of heat-related illness.
  • Regular early warning sessions and public awareness campaigns.
  • Collaboration with PDMA/DDMA and local media to ensure timely dissemination of heatwave alerts.
  • Ongoing community education on dehydration prevention, heatstroke symptoms, and protective behaviours.

Contacts

Shama Mall
Deputy Regional Director
Programs & Organisational Development
Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

Palwashay Arbab
Head of Communication
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-21-34390541-4

  1. https://www.nation.com.pk/14-Apr-2025/heatwave-alert-issued-across-pakistan-as-mercury-soars ↩︎
  2. PMD ↩︎

1029

Last year, we traveled to the Thar region of Umerkot to document the transformative impact of the Humanitarian Assistance, Early Recovery, and Development (HERD) Project, supported by Canadian Foodgrain Bank (CFGB) and Presbytarian World Service and Development. (PWS&D). Through our lens, we captured stories of resilience, hope, and progress. Six months later, we returned to the village to share the documentary with the very people whose lives it portrayed. The entire community came together to witness their own stories unfold on screen—a moment of reflection, empowerment, and collective strength.

900

Latifan, a 20-year-old woman from Ramo Vehro, UC Faqeer Abdullah in Umerkot, lives with her husband, Yaseen Muhammad, and their three-year-old son, Umer. The household also includes her brother-in-law, his wife, and their three children, making it a family of eight living under one roof. Yaseen works as a daily wage labourer, earning PKR 500 (approximately USD 1.8) per day, though there are occasional opportunities where he earns up to PKR 1000  (approximately USD 7.2) for a day’s work. The family’s monthly expenses amount to around PKR 8,000  (approximately USD 28.7), covering essential grocery items such as wheat, sugar, tea leaves, and rice.

In 2021, a severe drought devastated Latifan’s village, destroying agricultural lands and decimating livestock. The family farmed on four acres of shared land, cultivating cluster beans and millet. However, the drought rendered their crops useless, leaving them in a dire economic state. The family faced a very challenging time but they have persevered and remained resilient.

Community World Service Asia (CWSA), with support from Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), initiated a Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance programme in the drought-affected regions of Umerkot. The initiative provided PKR 17,000 ( (approximately USD 61) per household every month for three months—September, October, and November—benefitting 460 households, including Latifan’s family. Their inclusion in the programme was due to their large household size, low income, and farming background. Upon receiving the first tranche of PKR 17,000, Latifan prioritised purchasing wheat for PKR 10,000  (approximately USD 36), with PKR 1,000  (approximately USD 3.6) allocated to land preparation expenses. The remaining PKR 6,000  (approximately USD 22) was spent on groceries such as lentils, rice, and tea leaves, leaving her with PKR 1,000  (approximately USD 3.6)  in savings.

Latifan’s aspirations for the remaining instalments include repairing their home and purchasing a mobile phone to facilitate better communication. Her leadership skills are evident through her active participation in the community as a member of the Village Management Committee led by CWSA. As deputy president, she not only takes training sessions from CWSA’s women mobilisers but also shares her knowledge on cultivation and harvesting techniques with other women farmers in the community. Her confidence and proactive nature have made her a key contact for NGOs organising community visits.

The cash assistance programme has significantly improved the family’s living conditions, enabling them to afford three meals a day. Previously, they managed only one or two meals daily. The family’s meals now consist of a good breakfast, potato curry for lunch, and chapati (flatbread) with curry for dinner. They live in a modest two-room house shared between Latifan’s family and her brother-in-law’s household. Their combined livestock of seven goats—four belonging to the brother-in-law and three to Latifan—provides milk for household consumption, with additional milk sold by her brother-in-law, who earns PKR 200 to  300  (approximately USD 1) as a shepherd.

Despite these improvements, Latifan’s family continues to face hardships. The lingering threat of drought hampers agricultural recovery, and Yaseen’s fluctuating income barely meets their needs. A mounting debt of PKR 200,000 (approximately USD 720) weighs heavily on the family, accrued primarily from food purchases and medical expenses, including PKR 40,000 (approximately USD 144) for Latifan’s cesarean operation when her son was born. Health remains a top concern, particularly with her son being susceptible to common childhood illnesses like flu, fever, and cough, which could hinder his healthy growth. Additionally, her nephew’s sleep disturbances pose a further health worry. However, through hard work and payments made to the landlord, they have managed to repay PKR 100,000  (approximately USD 360) of the debt.

Latifan’s determination remains unwavering. Her family plans to use the forthcoming assistance to improve their land conditions, resume crop cultivation, and allocate PKR 10,000  (approximately USD 36) towards further debt repayment. With a vision for a more stable future, Latifan continues to lead her household and community with resilience, striving for financial independence and a sustainable livelihood amidst ongoing challenges.

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