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14

Overview

On 19 January 2026 at 11:21 hours (Pakistan time), a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Gilgit-Baltistan. The USGS reported the epicentre approximately 50 km north-northwest of Karimabad, Hunza, near the Yash Kuk Glacier in Chipurson Valley, and around 10 km from Zudkhun village, at a focal depth of ~35 km [9]. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) noted the epicentre near north-western Kashmir, at a shallow depth of 10–35 km. Tremors were widely felt across Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Ghizer, and Diamer, as well as parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.

The earthquake triggered widespread rockfalls, particularly in Chipurson Valley, causing severe structural damage and making many homes unsafe. Minor injuries were reported among children, and livestock shelters collapsed, threatening livelihoods. Ongoing aftershocks since October 2025 have caused anxiety among residents, many of whom are reluctant to return home. Harsh winter conditions, with temperatures falling to –20°C, have increased the risk to life and wellbeing.

Impact

The earthquake has severely affected 11 villages, leaving around 500 households (2,500 people) impacted. Casualties remain limited but include four injured, two children in Zudkhun and two adults in Shetmerg, all receiving medical care, with further assessments ongoing in remote settlements.

Infrastructure damage is extensive: over 210 houses collapsed or became unsafe, with 150 completely destroyed. Public and community facilities such as schools, prayer halls, Jamatkhanas, and Rural Education Centers sustained major cracks. Water channels, micro hydropower systems, and cattle sheds were destroyed, resulting in livestock losses. Landslides and rockfalls blocked roads, disrupted electricity, internet, and communications, and cut off access to Chipurson Valley and parts of the Karakoram Highway.

Families have been forced into makeshift shelters or temporary camps under extreme winter conditions. Vulnerable groups, women, children, the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities face heightened risks due to overcrowding, damaged housing, and limited access to essential services.

Emerging Humanitarian Needs

Emergency ShelterWinterised tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and warm clothing for families affected by infrastructure/ housing damage, prefabricated homes/sheds, energy and lighting
HealthHealth, Mental Health & PSS, and Protection aimed to support the entire valley, temporary medical services
FoodImmediate food rations & multipurpose cash support
Water & SanitationClean drinking water, hygiene, dignity & maternity kits, and sanitation facilities to prevent disease outbreaks
Psychosocial SupportPsychosocial Support for grieving families and children affected by trauma

Immediate priority actions include scaling up winterised shelter support, distributing winter NFIs (blankets, warm clothing, hygiene, and maternity kits), providing temporary shelters for unsafe homes, delivering in-kind food assistance, and deploying cash support for urgent winter needs. Distributions must be gender- and vulnerability-sensitive, accompanied by health and psychosocial services.

Relief & Response Overview

Relief efforts in Gilgit Baltistan are underway despite challenging access. Road connectivity to Reshet has been restored, and a medical camp set up in Shetmirg is providing care with doctors, paramedics, and Rescue 1122 support. District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA ) Hunza has distributed 250 food packs, blankets, kerosene heaters, kitchen sets, and tents to affected families. Senior government officials, including the Ministers for Interior and Tourism, visited Chipurson Valley on 21 January to meet communities and assess needs.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has activated an Emergency Operations Centre in Gilgit, supported remotely from Islamabad. A helicopter mission on 20 January evacuated seven patients, including women and children, to Gilgit for treatment.

The Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), working with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), civil society organisations, and community emergency teams, has launched a rapid needs assessment in Chipurson Valley. Findings will guide coordinated support measures from the GB government, federal authorities, and civil society.

Local NGOs and community groups have mobilised resources such as firewood, tents, and food. Human rights organisations are highlighting gaps in evacuation procedures, medical support, and winterised shelters. While coordination with authorities exists, a systematic multi-agency coordination mechanism has not yet been fully established.

Pakistan’s UN cluster system offers a framework for sectoral coordination, though no formal cluster activation for Chipurson has been reported. NDMA, GBDMA, UNOCHA, and UN agencies have conducted preparedness exercises to strengthen earthquake response.

Community World Service Asia Response

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) continues inter-agency coordination and rapid assessments in Hunza District and as the situation evolves, it calls on partners and humanitarian actors to join them in scaling up coordinated response efforts and providing timely winter assistance to Chipurson Valley, Upper Hunza, where affected communities face immediate survival risks. Built on existing local networks and partnerships, the response will remain adaptive, inclusive, and community-driven.

Response Plan includes:

  • Winterisation Assistance: Distribution of winterisation kits to vulnerable households to reduce exposure to extreme cold, prioritising families with damaged shelters, elderly members, women-headed households, and children.
  • Non-Food Items (NFI): Provision of essential NFIs to households that have lost or damaged basic household items due to the earthquake.
  • Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA): Provision of cheque-based MPCA to enable affected households to meet urgent needs, including food, winter items, healthcare, and minor repairs in a dignified manner.
  • Reinforcement of humanitarian Quality, Accountability & Safeguarding mechanisms to ensure dignity and community engagement throughout the respone
  • Gender-Sensitive Aid Distribution: Ensuring equitable access for women and girls

A multi-sectoral team is on standby for rapid deployment, ensuring that our response remains adaptive, inclusive, and locally led. CWSA’s planned response integrates gender-sensitive measures across all areas of intervention.

Contacts

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

Felix Dennis Joseph
Associate Regional Director
Email: dennis.joseph@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-51-2307484-5

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

References

  • (The Express Tribune)
  • (Pakistan Today)
  • (Dawn)
  • (ProPakistani)
  • Local Reports – ASWED (Association for Social Welfare & Educational Development) (internal/field source)
  • KADO Rapid Assessment Report, January 2026 (unpublished/internal)
  • AKAH/AKDN Disaster Assessment Report, January 2026 (unpublished/internal)
  • USGS Earthquake Data & Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)

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Crisis Overview

On 19 January 2026 at approximately 11:21 am, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reporting the epicenter near Barishal in north-western Kashmir at a shallow depth of 10–35 km. Strong tremors were felt across Gilgit-Baltistan, including Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Ghizer, and Diamer districts, as well as parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad. The shaking triggered landslides and rockfalls in mountainous areas, causing localized infrastructure damage and access disruptions.

The most significant impacts were reported from Upper Hunza, particularly Chipurson Valley, where residential structures were damaged and the only access road was blocked at multiple locations. Public infrastructure was also affected in Karimabad, where the already vulnerable building of Boys Middle School Karimabad developed structural cracks, rendering it unsafe for students and teachers. The earthquake occurred amid an ongoing severe winter cold wave, with temperatures dropping below –10°C, increasing risks for affected communities and heightening urgent humanitarian concerns.

Impact

The earthquake has caused one confirmed fatality and several injuries, including among children, in Hunza District.

Severe structural damage has been reported to homes, public buildings, and community infrastructure, with Chipurson Valley particularly affected, hundreds of families displaced and now living in camps under extreme cold conditions. In Karimabad, the Boys Middle School building has developed major cracks, leaving it unsafe for students and teachers.

Access routes remain blocked by landslides, including sections of the Karakoram Highway, restricting movement and delaying emergency response.

Across Gilgit-Baltistan, families face heightened risks due to unsafe housing, continued aftershocks, and exposure to sub zero temperatures. Vulnerable groups, women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities, are at greatest risk of health complications, protection concerns, and disruption of essential services.

Urgent assistance is required to provide safe shelter, medical care, and protection support to prevent further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.

Emerging Humanitarian Needs

Emergency ShelterWinterised tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and warm clothing for families affected by infrastructure/ housing damage
Medical AssistanceFirst aid supplies, essential medicines, and basic health support to address cold-related illnesses, respiratory infections
Food SecurityImmediate food rations needed for affected families or multipurpose cash support to meet these needs
Water & SanitationClean drinking water, hygiene & maternity kits, and sanitation facilities to prevent disease outbreaks
Psychosocial SupportPsychosocial Support for grieving families and children and women affected by trauma

Local authorities and community representatives have called on humanitarian organisations to provide urgent winter assistance, including shelter materials, blankets, maternity kits, food support, and essential medical supplies, to protect vulnerable populations especially located in Chipurson Valley during the ongoing cold wave.

Community World Service Asia’s Proposed Relief & Response

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is coordinating with local partners, affected communities and international agencies to mobilise a rapid response. Proposed actions include:

  • Distribution of winter NFIs, including blankets, warm clothing, hygiene kits, and maternity/dignity kits
  • Provision of temporary and winterized shelters, including tents and tarpaulins for families with damaged homes
  • In-kind food assistance for households affected by access constraints and livelihood disruption
  • Gender-sensitive distributions to ensure equitable access for women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities
  • Psychosocial support for children and families affected by displacement and ongoing aftershock fears.

CWSA is engaged in inter-agency coordination and rapid needs assessments in Hunza District and remains committed to delivering principled, inclusive, and locally led humanitarian assistance. As the situation evolves, we call on partners, donors, and humanitarian actors to join us in scaling up coordinated response efforts and investing in long-term resilience across Pakistan.

Contacts

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

Felix Dennis Joseph
Associate Regional Director
Email: dennis.joseph@communityworldservice.asia
Tele: 92-51-2307484-5

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

References

  • https://www.geo.tv/latest/645925-58-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-islamabad
  • https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587984/1-dead-2-injured-as-magnitude-58-quake-jolts-gilgit-baltistan
  • https://apnews.com/article/6ee9e66ff46406fc0a0fafe500932a15
  • https://www.radio.gov.pk/19-01-2026/58-magnitude-earthquake-jolts-islamabad-gb-kp
  • https://pamirtimes.net/2026/01/19/one-killed-three-injured-as-5-8-magnitude-earthquake-creates-havoc-in-hunza-and-ghizer-districts
  • Local Community Reports

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Ghizer: CWSA distributes 90,000 rupees cash assistance and food rations to 264 flood-affected households in 15 villages

(Press Release) Community World Service Asia (CWSA) distributed financial assistance and food rations to 264 affected households in 15 flood-hit villages of District Ghizer (Dayeen, Asumber, Chatorkhand, Kochuda, Bargoal, Kanche, Tali Das, Haks, Haks Thangi, Khalti, Rawshan, Gupis, Sultanabad, Taus, and Karkalti).

Each affected family received a total of 90,000 rupees in cash through three relief cheques, along with a one-month ration pack consisting of 100 kg flour, 8 kg pulses, 7 liters cooking oil, 4 kg sugar, and 1 kg salt.

Additionally, Dignity Kits were distributed to 100 women to help them meet their basic daily needs.

The local residents and affected families expressed deep appreciation and gratitude to CWSA and the ACT Alliance, saying that this assistance proved to be a great support for them during difficult times.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/176N7Qqsxn/?mibextid=xfxF2i: CWSA Extends Lifeline Support to 264 Flood-Hit Families in Ghizer with Cash Assistance and Food Rations https://www.facebook.com/share/1GAJAjqkD8/?mibextid=xfxF2i: CWSA Extends Lifeline Support to 264 Flood-Hit Families in Ghizer with Cash Assistance and Food Rations https://www.facebook.com/share/1PWa7Xn3Rn/: CWSA Extends Lifeline Support to 264 Flood-Hit Families in Ghizer with Cash Assistance and Food Rations

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Pakistan is facing one of the most catastrophic monsoon flood emergencies in recent history. Torrential rains, compounded by cross-border water releases from India, have triggered widespread riverine overflows across Punjab, while northern regions remain highly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. As of mid-September, over 3 million people had been evacuated, with 150,000 still sheltering in evacuation centres. Though waters in Punjab have begun to recede, the scale of devastation is staggering.

More than 2.6 million displaced people have returned to homes that are damaged or destroyed. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority reports the loss of 2.5 million acres of farmland; severely impacting wheat and cotton harvests and threatening long-term food security. Urban flooding in Karachi has compounded risks, while stagnant water in rural Punjab and Sindh is fueling outbreaks of water- and vector-borne diseases.

Forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall and rising river levels in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has flagged heightened risks downstream, particularly in low-lying areas of Sindh. As floodwaters shift southward, the humanitarian situation remains dynamic and demands sustained, coordinated response.

National Humanitarian Needs

  • Shelter & NFIs: Over 2.6 million returnees in Punjab require emergency tents, repair kits, and winterization materials.
  • WASH: Safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene kits, and disease prevention measures are urgently needed.
  • Health: Mobile health services, essential medicines, and disease surveillance are critical to address rising cases of diarrhea, malaria, and dengue.
  • Food Security & Livelihoods: Crop and livestock losses threaten food access and recovery, particularly in Punjab.
  • Protection: Displaced women and children face heightened risks of exploitation and gender-based violence. Prolonged school closures are worsening child protection concerns.

The Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (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.

Sindh Overview

Sindh province continues to be severely impacted, with intense urban flooding reported in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. The overflow of the Indus River has displaced approximately 191,500 people across 643 villages in 12 districts. Vulnerable communities residing in katcha1 areas have suffered extensive livelihood losses and significant damage to agricultural assets. Although conditions in Umerkot have now stabilized, the district endured widespread flooding throughout August and September.

Humanitarian Needs in Sindh
HealthMobile health teams and essential medicines
WASHSafe water, latrines, hygiene kits
Shelter/NFIsTents, tarpaulins, mosquito nets
Food SecurityDry rations and cooked meals
Livelihoods:Support to restore income-generating activities
Protection/MHPSSPsychosocial support and community outreach

Gilgit-Baltistan Overview

In September, Gilgit-Baltistan was struck by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods, resulting in 41 deaths, 52 injuries, and the destruction of 1,253 homes. Infrastructure damage includes 87 bridges and 20 km of roads, with valleys such as Diamer and Ghizer cut off from relief access. Damages are estimated at PKR 20 billion.

Humanitarian Needs in Gilgit-Baltistan
Shelter, clean water, food, and medical care
Winterisation support for displaced families
Strengthened health services to address disease outbreaks
Livelihood recovery and protection for vulnerable groups

Community World Service Asia’s Response

Anticipatory Action in Sindh: With upstream river discharges threatening a “super flood” in Sindh, Community World Service Asia (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.

Additional support will be needed for winterisation, sanitation, shelter, logistics, and multipurpose cash assistance.

In Gilgit-Baltistan: In response to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and monsoon-induced landslides, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) has initiated emergency relief operations in Hunza and neighboring districts. Emergency Relief Kits have been distributed in Hunza, with preparations underway for the delivery of food supplies, non-food items (NFIs), and winterisation kits.

In Ghizer district, CWSA has established a dedicated field office, secured the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC), recruited and oriented staff, and arranged two vehicles to facilitate field activities. Coordination meetings have been held with key stakeholders, including GBDMA, WWF-Pakistan, the Social Welfare Department, AKRSP, and the Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Ghizer. Engagements with community organisations in flood-affected areas have also been completed.

Assessments for 240 project participants have been finalised, and data entry is currently in progress. Procurement processes have commenced following the submission of Purchase Request Forms (PRFs) and quotations for food packages. Distributions of food and multipurpose cash assistance are scheduled for October 2025.

Projected Gaps:

  • 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

Community World Service Asia (CWSA) continues to work in close coordination with NDMA, PDMAs, UN agencies, humanitarian clusters, and ACT members in the country to harmonise response efforts and avoid duplication. As Co-Chair of the AAP (Accountability to Affected People) Working Group in Pakistan, CWSA places communities at the centre of the response by ensuring fair access to aid, clear and timely information in local languages, and inclusive decision-making processes and update the coordination networks accordingly. Safe, confidential feedback and complaints channels, through hotlines, community focal points, and helpdesks, are available across Sindh, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan, enabling people to voice concerns and shape the response. Special efforts are made to reach women, children, persons with disabilities, and minority groups, while disaggregated data helps track who is reached and address risks of exclusion. Communities are also informed about the type, quantity, and timing of assistance, strengthening transparency and trust. These accountability measures are not add-ons but an integral part of CWSA’s principled humanitarian action, ensuring that relief is both effective and dignified.

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.

Community World Service Asia remains committed to delivering principled, inclusive, and locally led humanitarian assistance. As the situation evolves, we call on partners, donors, and humanitarian actors to join us in scaling up coordinated response efforts and investing in long-term resilience across Pakistan.

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

  • UNOCHA Flash Update #10, 19 Sept 2025
  • PDMA Punjab Situation Reports
  • NDMA National Updates
  • ADRRN Regional Advisory, Sept 2025
  • PDMA Sindh Flood Update, Sept 2025
  • District Administration Umerkot Updates, Sept 2025
  • GB Government & NDMA Situation Updates, Sept 2025
  • Pakistan Red Crescent Reports, Sept 2025
  1. Informal settlements ↩︎

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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

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