At Community World Service Asia, we actively work alongside the communities we serve, our partners and local stakeholders to address these challenges.
Through our climate and resilience initiatives, we support sustainable resource management, strengthen local capacities, and help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. From promoting climate-smart practices to supporting plantation and ecosystem restoration efforts, our interventions contribute to healthier environments and stronger, more resilient communities.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and community members whose dedication make this work possible.
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) had the opportunity to engage with the Media Secretary and press officials in Gilgit, Baltistan during a networking lunch, fostering dialogue on the importance of advancing mental health and psychosocial support services and strengthening collective efforts to promote wellbeing across the region.
The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the newly established, first of its kind Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Hub at Karakoram International University (KIU). The officials expressed their support for the KIU–CWSA partnership and appreciated the efforts being made to expand access to mental health services and promote wellbeing in the region.
Particular interest was shown in the innovative therapeutic healing approaches being implemented by CWSA, with participants recognizing their potential to support individual and community resilience.
In the aftermath of disaster, recovery is about more than just rebuilding homes. It is about restoring hope and dignity to create a better future. For Hina Kabeer, a devastating earthquake in Pakistan’s Chipurson Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan on 19 January 2026 marked the beginning of an unexpected journey. Faced with the loss of her home, livelihood and sense of security, she refused to let adversity define her future. Through resilience and determination, Hina transformed one of the most challenging moments of her life into an opportunity to rebuild, not only for herself, but for her three children.
Hina Kabeer, a resident of Zoodkhun village in Chipurson Valley, lived with her husband and children. Before the earthquake, the family relied on agriculture as their primary source of income, cultivating crops and managing small-scale farming activities to meet their daily needs.
Life was not without its challenges. Hina’s husband was chronically ill with Arthritis and unable to work, leaving to shoulder much of the responsibility for supporting the household while caring for their four daughters aged 5 to 12, who were studying in Classes 1, 2, 6 and 7. caring for her family. Despite these hardships, Hina remained committed to providing stability for her children and ensuring they could continue their education.
Displacement and Loss
The powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction, leaving Hina’s home completely destroyed, forcing her family to leave their village. In addition to losing their home, they also lost their source of livelihood. This loss caused Hina and her family great amounts of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future. The displacement made it difficult to adjust to a new environment, and Hina worried constantly about providing food, shelter, and education for her children. The earthquake severely damaged irrigation channels that sustained their farmland, making it impossible to continue agricultural activities. “Our land is still there, but without water, we cannot grow anything,” Hina recalled.
With no income source and no permanent shelter, the family relocated to Gulmit Gojal, where they lived in temporary accommodation while facing growing financial and emotional hardship. Despite the loss of both home and livelihood, Hina remained determined to support her family. She ensured her children continued their education despite the disruption and began exploring ways to earn an income and rebuild their lives. “I wanted to do something for my children, but I had no resources to start,” she shared.
Emergency Relief in Action
At this critical moment, Community World Service Asia (CWSA), in collaboration with ACT Alliance, provided timely humanitarian assistance to Hina’s family. The support included Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) of PKR 60,000 (215 USD), along with essential non-food items (NFIs), including four blankets, four mattresses, a wood stove and a tarpaulin.
This timely and flexible assistance enabled Hina to address her family’s most urgent needs while also investing in their future. Rather than spending the cash assistance solely on immediate consumption, she used it to purchase the furniture and basic equipment needed to establish a small restaurant in Gulmit Gojal. There, she serves breakfast and lunch, including traditional local (desi) dishes. The restaurant now provides a stable source of income, generating approximately PKR 50,000 per month and enabling Hina to support her family. This decision marked a turning point in her recovery, transforming the loss of her livelihood into an opportunity to rebuild.
The restaurant has brought meaningful improvements to the family’s lives including:
A stable source of income
Continued support for her three children’s education
Improved access to food and other essential needs
Greater financial independence and confidence
“Now, I can manage my household expenses and support my children,” Hina said.
Beyond supporting her own family, Hina’s restaurant also serves the local community by providing affordable meals and contributing to the local economy. Her ability to adapt to changing circumstances demonstrates remarkable resilience. When agriculture was no longer a viable source of livelihood, she embraced a new opportunity and successfully established a small business.
Standing Strong, Looking Ahead
Reflecting on her journey, Hina expressed heartfelt gratitude to Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and ACT Alliance for their timely support during one of the most difficult periods of her life. With no income and few options after the earthquake, the assistance gave her the opportunity to rebuild with dignity and confidence.
“This support helped me stand on my own feet and rebuild our lives,” Hina said.
Looking ahead, Hina hopes to further develop her restaurant and strengthen her family’s financial security. While the business now provides a stable source of income, it remains modest and requires additional support to grow sustainably. Her aspirations include expanding the restaurant, improving its facilities and equipment, and increasing its income so she can better provide for her family.
Hina’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination and timely humanitarian assistance. Although the earthquake upended her life, it also marked the beginning of a new chapter. With support from CWSA and ACT Alliance, Hina was able to meet her family’s immediate needs while investing in a sustainable livelihood. Today she is not only rebuilding her life but also creating a more secure future for her children, one built on hope, dignity and self-reliance.
Gilgit, September 8, 2026 — In a major step toward strengthening climate resilience in high-mountain and severely climate impacted ecosystems, Karakoram International University (KIU), in partnership with Community World Service Asia (CWSA), hosted the International Conference on Nature-Based Solutions, Local Adaptation, and Global Commitments today at the KIU Gilgit Campus.
The landmark gathering brought together over 200 youth leaders, climate affected communities, researchers, environmental practitioners, and global humanitarians to advance practical, community-centered responses to the climate crisis in mountain regions.
Marking a major milestone for climate science in the region, the conference opened with the inauguration of the Centre for Cryosphere Studies, a specialised research hub at KIU dedicated to studying glacier dynamics, climate impacts, and high-altitude environmental changes in Gilgit-Baltistan.
This Centre will focus on disaster and flood modelling, hazard and vulnerability risk assessment, climate-adaptive agriculture and livelihoods glacial mass balancing, and glacial lake outburst flood modelling, using modern tools such as GIS, remote sensing, and AI. The Centre was jointly inaugurated by Takeshi Komino, Chairperson of the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), and Prof. Dr. Abdul Razaq, Vice Chancellor of KIU.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of CWSA, Danish Batool emphasised the essential role of intergenerational partnership and community leadership in climate adaptation. She reminded the audience saying, “This conference is a powerful reflection of how education, partnerships, and collective action can drive us towards a more resilient and sustainable future.”
Connecting Global Commitments to Mountain Realities
During the technical session, “Climate Resilience and Sustainability in Global Practices,” international humanitarian leaders explored how local environmental stewardship reinforces global climate commitments.
William Anderson, Executive Director of Sphere, emphasised the vital role of humanitarian standards and nature-based solutions.He said, “We shouldn’t be paralysed by the scale of the challenge. Change doesn’t have to start with something huge. Each of us can take small steps. And those small steps, taken together, can put us on a very different path towards positive change for the world around us.”
Nishanie Jayamaha from the Climate & Environment Charter Secretariat highlighted the operationalisation of global pledges and the need for organisations to adapt. She stated, “We need to rethink our programmes and ask ourselves: are we supporting communities to adapt, or are we unintentionally causing more harm?” Nishanie further added, “Nature-based solutions are part of adaptation. Before we build, we need to think about how we can work with the ecosystem.” While, Takeshi Komino, Chairperson of ADRRN, addressed the intersection of disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. “We need to put communities at the centre of our decisions. We may talk about mapping, technology and technical expertise, but we always need to think about the community first. Communities are ultimately the ones who sustain resilience.”
Local Leadership, Storytelling, and Youth Innovation
A multi-sectoral panel titled “Local Climate Adaptation in Gilgit-Baltistan: Opportunities and Solutions” featured prominent regional voices, including Shehzad Hasan Shigri (Director, Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency), Haider Raza (Director North/Nature-based Solutions, WWF-Pakistan), and Murtaza Ansari (renowned filmmaker and digital storyteller). Together, they examined resilient infrastructure, local ecosystem conservation, and the power of digital narrative in mobilizing community action.
Complementing this, Zarmast Khan Sherazi (Environmental Specialist, P&D Department, GB), Dr. Shaukat Ali (Associate Professor, KIU), and Mujeeb Sardar (Coordinator REDD+, Forest Department, GB) explored strategies to mainstream indigenous knowledge and local forestry into formal development planning.
Reflecting the regional government’s active support for locally led adaptation, Muhammad Ali Akhtar, Minister Finance of Gilgit-Baltistan, attended the conference alongside international guests Laura Jensen, Regional Representative Asia from Act CoS and Rania Salameh, Method Advisor on Locally Led Approaches from ACT CoS.
Highlighting the agency of the next generation, the conference featured a vibrant youth exhibition where students presented grassroots research and innovative climate solutions through poster presentations.
Concluding the event, Tooba Siddiqi, Associate Regional Director at CWSA, stated that “every framework, every policy, and every research paper only matters if it reaches the communities we work with and benefits them. That is the measure I would ask you to carry out of this room.”
On 08 July 2026, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) triggered severe flash flooding, debris flows, and riverbank erosion across the Ishkoman Valley in Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan. The disaster was fueled by a combination of above-normal temperatures, accelerated glacier melt, and heavy monsoon rainfall. This event follows multiple early warning advisories issued since late June by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which explicitly flagged Ghizer as a high-risk zone.
The incident validates the seasonal risk projections highlighted in Community World Service Asia’s (CWSA) GLOF Situation Alerts (issued in May and June 2026), which urged immediate preparedness and rapid response readiness for the region.
Preliminary assessments indicate that at least four major settlements across Ghizer District have sustained significant damage: Matramdan, Maulaabad, Damas (near Gahkuch), and Silpi village. Additionally, a glacial outburst in Barswat Nullah has severely compromised transport infrastructure. While the total number of affected households within the district’s population of 200,000 is still being verified, the flooding has already caused widespread displacement and disrupted critical local infrastructure. With continued rainfall and high temperatures forecast, the risk of secondary flash floods, landslides, and debris flows remains acute.
Current Humanitarian Impact
Casualties: Fortunately, no fatalities have been officially confirmed at the time of reporting. Search, rescue, and damage assessments remain ongoing.
Housing & Displacement: Floodwaters inundated more than 30 homes, while approximately a dozen houses have sustained structural damage, forcing immediate displacement. Affected families are currently taking refuge in temporary tents.
Critical Infrastructure & Access:
A glacial outburst in Barswat Nullah swept away a vital suspension bridge and sections of a link road.
Rising river levels and severe bank erosion continue to threaten the bridge connecting Chatorkhand and Dain villages. If this bridge collapses, humanitarian access to the affected valley will be completely cut off.
Local communities rely on glacial spring water for drinking. Following flood damage to the pipeline network, residents now collect water directly from the spring.
Agriculture & Livelihoods: The floods have devastated standing crops, agricultural land, and vital irrigation channels, severely impacting household food production and local economic stability.
Compound Vulnerability & Context
This disaster does not occur in a vacuum. Ghizer District has faced consecutive, severe flooding events in 2022 and 2025, which damaged hundreds of homes and large swathes of farmland. This repetitive cycle of climate shocks exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, compounding losses for families who are still struggling to recover, and presenting a severe, long-term threat to regional food security.
Emerging Humanitarian Needs
Sector
Priority Needs
Emergency Shelter & Non-Food items (NFIs)
Tarpaulins, tents, blankets, bedding, kitchen sets and essential household items for displaced and flood-affected families.
Medical Assistance
First aid, essential medicines, mobile health services and referral support.
Safe drinking water, hygiene kits, water purification supplies and sanitation support.
Protection & Psychosocial Support
Protection-sensitive assistance and psychosocial support for women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
Early Recovery
Repair of irrigation channels, restoration of electricity, rehabilitation of damaged roads and riverbank protection.
Local authorities have initiated relief efforts, including early recovery efforts. However, additional humanitarian assistance will be required to support affected households, restore critical services and reduce the risk of further deterioration if adverse weather conditions persist.
Community World Service Asia’s Response
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) continues to coordinate with relevant government authorities, including NDMA, GBDMA and district authorities, as well as humanitarian partners and local stakeholders, to monitor the evolving GLOF and flash flood situation in Ghizer District.
As the situation develops, CWSA calls on partners and humanitarian actors to support coordinated response efforts and provide timely assistance to affected communities in Ishkoman Valley, Damas, Silpi, Barswat Nullah and other affected areas, where households are facing risks related to shelter damage, livelihood disruption, damaged access routes and continued exposure to further flash flooding.
Built on existing local networks and partnerships, the response will remain adaptive, inclusive and community-driven, prioritising the most vulnerable households, including women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and families with limited coping capacity.
Response Plan includes:
NFIs: Provision of essential NFIs, including kitchen sets to households that have lost or damaged basic household items due to the flash flood.
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 response
Inclusive Aid Distribution: Ensuring equitable and safe access for women, girls, children, older people and persons with disabilities.
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
Tooba Siddiqi Associate Regional Director Emergencies, Health & Quality, Accountability& Safeguarding (QAS) Email: tooba.siddiqi@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
The towering peaks of Passu stood quietly in the background as fifteen young men from Passu and Gulmit gathered in a room, expecting what many thought would be just another community session. Some arrived in groups, joking and laughing on the way in. Others slipped into their seats quietly, unsure of what to expect. For most of them, it was the first time attending a discussion on mental health and emotional wellbeing. For years, they had learned to carry their worries in silence.
Facilitated by the Community World Service Asia (CWSA), the Guy Talk session was designed to create a safe and supportive space where young men could openly discuss mental wellbeing, relationships, aspirations and the pressures they face in their daily lives.
As the session began, the atmosphere was marked by a familiar sense of reserve. Conversations among young men often centre on studies, work, sport and day-to-day life; discussions about emotions are far less common. Questions about emotions were met with smiles, nervous laughter and long pauses. Then, a university student from Gulmit spoke up.
“I think many of us are stressed, but we don’t really talk about it.”
The room fell quiet.
Another participant nodded in agreement and then added: “We are expected to deal with everything ourselves.”
The exchange was brief but it changed the atmosphere of the discussion. As the discussion unfolded, stories began to emerge.
A young man, preparing for university entrance exams, spoke about the constant worry of disappointing his family if he failed to meet expectations. Another participant described the uncertainty he faced after completing his education and struggling to find employment. As others shared their experiences, it became clear that many of the challenges they carried were not theirs alone.
One young man from Passu spoke about the pressure of being the eldest son.
“Sometimes I feel responsible for everyone at home. When I feel overwhelmed, I don’t tell anyone because I think they already have enough problems.”
His words resonated deeply across the room. Several participants admitted that they carried similar burdens and often felt the need to handle difficulties on their own. For many, this was the first time they realized they were not alone.
As the discussion continued, the focus gradually shifted from the challenges participants faced to the ways they coped with them. Some spoke about isolating themselves when they felt stressed. Others described spending hours on social media or immersing themselves in work to avoid reflecting on their worries. Few had rarely ever considered speaking openly with friends or family about what they were going through emotionally.
Through guided discussions, participants explored the common expectation that men should always appear strong and in control. Together, they reflected on whether staying silent about their struggles truly protects them or simply those struggles hard to carry.
One participant shared: “Today I learned that asking for help does not make a person weak. It actually takes courage.”
Another added: “We often meet our friends every day, but we never ask how they are really doing.”
As trust grew, the room transformed from a gathering of individuals into a circle of shared experiences. Participants began offering support to one another, sharing advice, discussing healthy ways to manage stress and reflecting on the importance of seeking help when needed.
Towards the end of the session, the facilitator asked participants what they would take away from the discussion.
After a moment of reflection, one young man smiled and said: “We came here as friends, but today we also became a support system.”
The statement captured the essence of the session.
What began as a conversation about mental wellbeing had grown into something deeper: a shared recognition that vulnerability can foster connection, and that support often begins with a simple conversation.
By the end of the day, the fifteen young men from Passu and Gulmit left with a greater understanding of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. More importantly, they left with the reassurance that they were not alone in their experiences, that their voices mattered and that seeking is a sign of strength rather than weakness.
The Guy Talk session highlighted the impact of creating spaces where young men can speak openly without fear of judgment. In communities where conversations about emotions and mental wellbeing are often left unspoken, such dialogues can help challenge stigma, strengthen connections and encourage people to reach out when they need support.
An active seasonal window of high-stakes weather systems and prolonged, above-normal temperatures continues to threaten Northern Pakistan. As of June 2, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts ongoing rain and thunderstorms through June 5, maintaining a critical risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and flash floods across glaciated valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Over 7.1 million people in these northern regions remain vulnerable.
Casualties: Severe early-May storms have already tragically resulted in four deaths and sixteen injuries across the KPK districts of Mardan, Swabi, Malakand, and Shangla.
Community Isolation & Access Barriers: Landslides and weather-driven disruptions threaten to cut off remote mountain communities. Major lifelines, including the Karakoram Highway, Skardu Road, Shigar Valley Road, Deosai Road, and Naran Road, as well as vital local routes in the Shimshal and Hunza Valleys, are flagged as highly sensitive to immediate blockages.
Upstream Flooding Threat: Rapidly melting glaciers driven by intense heat are creating flood-like conditions across multiple districts, including Hunza, Chitral, Swat, Gilgit, and Neelum Valley.
In line with the commitment to Do No Harm and community protection, local administrations and vulnerable populations are urged to maintain 24/7 vigilance. Local communities are being guided to monitor immediate early warning signs, specifically tracking sudden changes in river levels, unusual deep sounds near water drains (nullahs), and shifts in water color that indicate upstream breaches.
Travelers and local communities are strictly advised to avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones during this active severe weather period.
The current situation demands an immediate focus on:
Early Warning Systems: Real-time dissemination of alerts to isolated mountainous communities.
Logistical Readiness: Preparing for rapid assessments as road blockages on the Karakoram Highway fluctuate.
Community Preparedness: Strengthening local-level response capacity in high-risk valleys that may become cut off by infrastructure damage.
Figure 1: Projected GLOF Risk Areas in Northern Pakistan, March–September 2026
Key Risk Domains and Impact Highlights
Key Domains
Potential Impacts
Lives and safety
Increased risk of sudden flooding, debris flow, landslides resulting in injuries, loss of life and urgent evacuation needs
Shelter
Destruction to homes leading to temporary displacement of households in downstream valleys and vulnerable communities
Infrastructure
Damage to roads, bridges, irrigation channels, water supply systems and small hydropower infrastructure leading to disrupted transportation, reduced access to essential services and interruptions in water and energy supply.
Health
Increased risk of injuries, waterborne diseases due to contaminated water along with limited access to health facilities and referral challenges in remote valleys
Food security and livelihoods
Loss of livestock, crops, orchards, agricultural land and household assets
Protection
Increased risks for women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and households with limited mobility
Access and logistics
Isolation of remote communities and delayed humanitarian access, disruption to passenger and goods transport, and traffic disruption along key routes including the Karakoram Highway due to infrastructure damage
NDMA’s Summer Hazards Contingency Plan 2026 notes that sudden breaching of unstable glacial lakes may generate flash floods downstream, threatening villages, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure1.
The scale of exposure is significant, with millions of people in GB and KPK living in areas vulnerable to GLOFs, flash flooding and debris-flow risks, particularly communities downstream of rivers, streams and glacial lakes.
Emerging Humanitarian Needs
In the event of GLOF-triggered disasters or flash flooding in the high-risk valleys of Northern Pakistan, humanitarian interventions must prioritise immediate life-saving support alongside the preservation of human dignity. The following domains have been identified as critical for an effective and principled response:
Life-Saving Relief and Shelter: Immediate focus on coordinated evacuation support and the provision of high-quality temporary shelter should be priortised. Essential Non-Food Items (NFIs), including winterised tents, blankets, and kitchen sets are vital for families displaced in the harsh high-altitude terrain.
Health and WASH: Restoration of safe drinking water and sanitation services is a priority to mitigate disease outbreaks. This must be coupled with mobile health units and first aid services capable of providing essential medicines and emergency referrals in areas where fixed infrastructure may be damaged.
Food Security and Multipurpose Cash: Where local markets remain functional, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) is the preferred modality to provide families with the agency and flexibility to meet their own needs. In isolated areas with market disruption, direct food assistance in this form will be necessary.
Protection and Psychosocial Wellbeing: Critical support and protection to help families and children process the trauma of sudden displacement and loss must be provided. All assistance must be protection-sensitive, specifically tailored to the needs of women, children, older persons, and individuals with disabilities.
Community World Service Asia’s Preparedness and Response
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is currently maintaining a high state of operational readiness through its field office in Hunza, GB. This local footprint allows for immediate coordination with Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), building on CWSA’s significant 2025 response where we supported 1,479 individuals with food and cash assistance. Leveraging deep-rooted networks in remote areas like the Chipursan Valley, CWSA is positioned to move from monitoring to formal response activation immediately upon verification of an incident by disaster management authorities or field teams.
The mobilisation strategy is centered on reaching the “last mile” of remote mountain communities. Key priorities include:
Targeted Vulnerability: Directing assistance toward women-headed households, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities to mitigate exclusion risks.
Integrated Accountability: Maintaining safe, confidential feedback loops and ensuring communities are informed participants in their own recovery.
Multisectoral Readiness: Preparedness covers emergency shelter, WASH, mobile health, and psychosocial support, with a preference for multipurpose cash where markets allow.
Proposed Relief and Call to Action: To ensure a rapid and effective response as weather patterns evolve, CWSA has identified three critical pillars for immediate support:
Pre-positioning: Securing emergency shelter, hygiene kits, and dry rations in accessible hubs near high-risk valleys.
Scaling Life-Saving Aid: Expanding the reach of mobile health referrals and cash assistance for those in the direct path of debris flows.
Logistical Resilience: Strengthening “last-mile” transport capabilities to bypass anticipated road and bridge failures along the Karakoram Highway and interconnected routes.
In a region where geography defines the risk, local presence defines the response. CWSA urges the international community and humanitarian partners to support immediate and coordinated response in Northern Pakistan as we work to turn preparedness into a lifeline for the most isolated communities in GB and KPK.
The winter wind moved sharply through the valley of Sost in Gilgit-Baltistan, carrying with it the quiet sound of a nearby river flowing between frozen stones. Snow rested lightly on the surrounding mountains, and the air was so cold that even breath turned into mist. It was here, beside the riverbank, that Community World Service Asia (CWSA) gathered a group of children and youth who had been displaced from the remote Chupursan Valley. These crisis-affected young people were forced to leave behind the valleys, homes, and memories that once shaped their everyday lives. In Sost they had found safety, but the loss of home and the uncertainty of the future often weighed heavily on their young hearts.
To help them reconnect with themselves and their surroundings, CWSA organised a mental wellbeing and meditation session in the open air, beside the river. Despite the bitter cold, the children gathered quietly on the riverbank. The mountains stood tall around them, silent witnesses to the moment.
A Mindful Beginning
With eyes gently closed and hands resting on their knees, the children listened to the natural rhythm of the valley, the soft rush of the river, the whisper of the wind moving through dry grass, and the distant calls of birds echoing across the mountains. For a few moments, the noise of worry faded. Breath by breath, the children learned to slow down, to feel the ground beneath them, and to simply be present in the quiet beauty of the landscape.
After meditation, the facilitator invited them to explore the riverbank.
The children began collecting pebbles and small stones, turning them over in their hands, searching for shapes that felt special to them. Some chose smooth white stones, others picked darker pebbles worn soft by years of flowing water.
Then they began to paint.
Small hands carefully brushed colours across the cold stones, bright blues, warm yellows, soft greens, and reds that stood out against the grey winter landscape.
Some children painted flowers and mountains. Others painted smiling faces, hearts, or simple patterns.
Each pebble slowly transformed into a tiny story.
Despite the freezing air and numb fingers, laughter began to rise along the riverbank. The act of creating something beautiful from an ordinary stone seemed to warm the space around them.
For a moment, the weight of displacement lifted.
But among the laughter, one quiet thought touched everyone deeply. The thought of nature terrorising them but also comforting them.
Izdah Karrim, aged 12, holding a painted pebble in her hand, looked toward the mountains and the flowing river. After a long pause, she spoke softly. “Nature heals us. Being here makes me feel calm and happy. But nature also destroyed our homes. Why does nature get angry? It looks so beautiful when it is calm.”
Her words carried a kind of innocence that only a child could express but also a truth that resonated deeply with everyone listening.
In that moment, the river kept flowing, the mountains stood still, and the painted pebbles rested in small hopeful hands.
The children placed some of the stones along the riverbank, leaving behind small pieces of colour in the winter landscape. These are tiny reminders of resilience, creativity, and healing.
Sometimes healing does not come through big gestures. Sometimes it begins with quiet breaths beside a river, with cold fingers holding on to each other and with a simple stone that becomes a symbol of hope.
And as the children looked at the painted pebbles shining against the snow, the young girl’s reflection lingered in the air, “Nature makes our hearts peaceful, but it can also take away our homes. I wish it could stay as gentle as it looks when the river is calm.”
A high-alert status remains in effect for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) following a series of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) warnings issued by the NDMA and PMD. A current westerly weather system, active as of May 11, is bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms to mountainous regions. These conditions are significantly increasing the probability of debris flows and flash flooding in vulnerable valleys, marking the start of a high-risk period predicted to last through September 2026.
Recent heavy rainfall has already triggered mudslides and landslides, severely impacting the Karakoram Highway. Key sections in Lower Kohistan, including Dubair and Gloos Banda, have been blocked by debris and floodwater. These disruptions have stranded passenger vehicles and goods transport, creating a logistical bottleneck between KPK and GB. The dangerous travel conditions along these primary routes are currently hindering both commercial movement and potential humanitarian access.
The scale of potential impact is immense, with the Ministry of Climate Change identifying over 7.1 million people in the northern regions as vulnerable to GLOF events. Pakistan’s 13,000+ glaciers are facing unprecedented stress; approximately 10,000 glaciers in Chitral and GB are currently receding due to climate-induced temperature rises. This accelerated melting, combined with shifting weather patterns and early heatwave conditions, has created a volatile environment for downstream settlements.
The current situation demands an immediate focus on:
Early Warning Systems: Real-time dissemination of alerts to isolated mountainous communities.
Logistical Readiness: Preparing for rapid assessments as road blockages on the Karakoram Highway fluctuate.
Community Preparedness: Strengthening local-level response capacity in high-risk valleys that may become cut off by infrastructure damage.
Areas at Risk
Region
High-risk areas identified in recent alerts
Gilgit-Baltistan
Swat, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Dir, Upper Hazara, and Kohistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
Communities located near glacial lakes, rivers, mountain streams, nullahs (seasonal watercourses), bridges, roads, irrigation channels, hydropower infrastructure, and agricultural land
Downstream settlements
Communities located near glacial lakes, rivers, mountain streams, nullahs (seasonal watercourses), bridges, roads, irrigation channels, hydropower infrastructure and agricultural land
Figure 1: Projected GLOF Risk Areas in Northern Pakistan, March–September 2026
Key Risks and Impact Highlights
Sector
Potential impact
Lives and safety
Sudden flooding, debris flow, landslides, injuries, loss of life and urgent evacuation needs
Shelter
Damage to houses and temporary displacement of households in downstream valleys
Infrastructure
Damage to roads, bridges, irrigation channels, water supply systems and small hydropower infrastructure
WASH
Contamination of water sources, disruption of safe drinking water access and increased sanitation risks
Health
Increased risk of injuries, waterborne diseases, limited access to health facilities and referral challenges in remote valleys
Food security and livelihoods
Loss of livestock, crops, orchards, agricultural land and household assets
Protection
Increased risks for women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and households with limited mobility
Access and logistics
Blocked roads, damaged bridges, isolation of remote communities and delayed humanitarian access, disruption to passenger and goods transport, and traffic disruption along key routes including the Karakoram Highway
NDMA’s Summer Hazards Contingency Plan 2026 notes that sudden breaching of unstable glacial lakes may generate flash floods downstream, threatening villages, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure1.
The scale of exposure is significant, with millions of people in GB and KP living in areas vulnerable to GLOFs, flash flooding and debris-flow risks, particularly communities downstream of rivers, streams and glacial lakes.
This summary refines the projected humanitarian priorities for Northern Pakistan into a concise, action-oriented briefing, ensuring the focus remains on dignity, protection, and the survival of isolated communities.
Priority Needs: Anticipatory Action and Response for GLOF Emergencies
In the event of GLOF-triggered disasters or flash flooding in the high-risk valleys of Northern Pakistan, humanitarian interventions must prioritise immediate life-saving support alongside the preservation of human dignity. The following sectors have been identified as critical for an effective and principled response:
Life-Saving Relief & Shelter: Immediate focus remains on coordinated evacuation support and the provision of high-quality temporary shelter. Essential Non-Food Items (NFIs), including winterised tents, blankets, and kitchen sets are vital for families displaced in the harsh high-altitude terrain.
Health and WASH: Restoration of safe drinking water and sanitation services is a priority to mitigate disease outbreaks. This must be coupled with mobile health units and first aid services capable of providing essential medicines and emergency referrals in areas where fixed infrastructure may be damaged.
Food Security & Multipurpose Cash: Where local markets remain functional, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) is the preferred modality to provide families with the agency and flexibility to meet their own needs. In isolated areas with market disruption, direct food assistance will be necessary.
Protection & Psychosocial Wellbeing: All assistance must be protection-sensitive, specifically tailored to the needs of women, children, older persons, and individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, psychosocial support is critical to help families and children process the trauma of sudden displacement and loss.
Community World Service Asia’s Preparedness and Response
Community World Service Asia (CWSA) is currently maintaining a high state of operational readiness through its field office in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. This local footprint allows for immediate coordination with GBDMA and DDMA, building on CWSA’s significant 2025 response where they supported 1,479 individuals with food and cash assistance. Leveraging deep-rooted networks in remote areas like the Chipursan Valley, CWSA is positioned to move from monitoring to formal response activation immediately upon verification of an incident by disaster management authorities or field teams.
The mobilisation strategy is centered on reaching the “last mile” of remote mountain communities. Key priorities include:
Targeted Vulnerability: Directing assistance toward women-headed households, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities to mitigate exclusion risks.
Integrated Accountability: Maintaining safe, confidential feedback loops and ensuring communities are informed participants in their own recovery.
Multisectoral Readiness: Preparedness covers emergency shelter, WASH, mobile health, and psychosocial support, with a preference for multipurpose cash where markets allow.
Urgent Funding and Logistics Requirements
To ensure a rapid and effective response as weather patterns evolve, CWSA has identified three critical pillars for immediate support:
Pre-positioning: Securing emergency shelter, hygiene kits, and dry rations in accessible hubs near high-risk valleys.
Scaling Life-Saving Aid: Expanding the reach of mobile health referrals and cash assistance for those in the direct path of debris flows.
Logistical Resilience: Strengthening “last-mile” transport capabilities to bypass anticipated road and bridge failures along the Karakoram Highway and interconnected routes.
In a region where geography defines the risk, local presence defines the response. We invite you to stand with CWSA and our frontline teams in Northern Pakistan as we turn preparedness into a lifeline for the most isolated communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Contacts
Shama Mall Deputy Regional Director Programs & Organisational Development Email: shama.mall@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
Tooba Siddiqi Associate Regional Director Emergencies & Quality and Accountability Email: tooba.siddiqi@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
Palwashay Arbab Associate Regional Director Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia Tele: 92-21-34390541-4
References
NDMA Summer Hazards Contingency Plan 2026 https://www.ndma.gov.pk/storage/plans/April2026/des1YHpOOZYMDB3W7rHH.pdf ↩︎
High in the mountains of northern Pakistan lies Broghil Valley, one of the most remote and isolated landscapes in the country. Located nearly 250 kilometers from Chitral town and rising between 3,280 to over 4,300 meters above sea level, the valley borders Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor and is surrounded by towering snow-covered peaks. Broghil is known for its breathtaking alpine meadows, vast wetlands, and the stunning Qarambar Lake. During the short summer months, the valley comes alive with grazing yaks, migratory birds, and cultural festivals that celebrate the traditions of its pastoral communities. Yet beneath this extraordinary beauty lies a quieter reality. Life in Broghil is shaped by geographic isolation, extreme winters where temperatures can drop below –17°C, and limited access to services. Roads remain nearly impassable for months, healthcare facilities are scarce, and educational opportunities are limited.
Three years ago, a group of 28 young girls and boys from Broghil Valley were displaced and relocated to Gulmit, where the local community welcomed and supported them with care and compassion. The young IDPs have been well looked after and gradually integrated into the community.
Yet even in a supportive environment, the emotional weight of displacement and distance from their homeland quietly lingers. Loneliness, uncertainty about the future, and the memories of a place left behind often take their toll. Recognising this need, the Gulmit Council requested Community World Service Asia (CWSA) to organise a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Wellbeing Workshop for these young people. Conducted on 26 February 2026, the workshop was made possible with the support of the Week of Compassion (WoC). The goal was simple but powerful; creating a safe space where the youth could express their emotions, reconnect with their strengths, and begin healing together.
When Silence Turns Into Stress
In remote mountain communities, mental health is rarely discussed openly. Daily life revolves around survival, herding livestock, enduring long winters, and navigating limited opportunities. In such settings, emotions are often carried quietly. For the youth from Broghil now living in Gulmit, the experience of displacement added another layer to this silence. Many shared feelings of isolation, homesickness, and uncertainty about what their futures might hold. The workshop aimed to gently open conversations around emotional wellbeing and help participants understand that these feelings were valid and shared.
Painting in the Cold: A Moment of Resilience
One of the most powerful moments of the workshop came during a creative expression activity. Participants were invited to paint their thoughts, memories, and emotions. Although facilitators initially planned to conduct the activity indoors due to the cold weather, the youth asked for something different. They wanted to paint outside surrounded by the mountains and landscapes that reminded them of home.
Wrapped in warm shawls and sitting on the frozen ground, the young participants began painting the valleys, lakes, and peaks that shaped their memories. Brushes moved slowly across canvases, translating emotions that words often struggled to express. For many of them, it was the first time they had ever been invited to share their feelings through art. Some painted mountains as symbols of strength and endurance. Others painted open skies representing hope and freedom. What emerged was more than artwork. It became a quiet but powerful expression of resilience.
“In these mountains we learned to stay strong in silence. Today, with colors in our hands, we finally learned how to speak, shared one of the participants”, Zahra.
A Workshop for Healing
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop used several community-based psychosocial approaches designed to encourage reflection, connection, and confidence. Through therapeutic arts and storytelling, participants explored ways to release stress and communicate emotions safely. Guided reflection and mindfulness exercises introduced breathing techniques and simple practices that help manage anxiety and restore inner calm. Small group dialogues created safe spaces where participants could share their experiences, listen to each other, and realise they were not alone in their feelings. For many participants, it was the first time emotional wellbeing had been openly discussed and supported.
Power of Small Interventions
For communities living in remote and underserved regions, even small psychosocial support initiatives can create meaningful change. When young people feel heard and supported, they gain the confidence to cope with stress, rebuild hope, and strengthen their relationships with others. Programs like this move communities from survival toward resilience. They remind young people that their dreams still matter. They encourage girls and boys to find their voices. And they strengthen the bonds that hold communities together.
Why Support Matters
Delivering psychosocial support in remote mountain regions requires determination and sustained investment. Long travel distances, harsh weather conditions, and limited infrastructure make such initiatives challenging but deeply necessary. Yet the impact can be transformative. By supporting initiatives like this Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop, partners and donors contribute to:
Strengthening resilience among displaced and vulnerable youth
Supporting emotional wellbeing in remote and isolated communities
Creating safe spaces for dialogue, healing, and self-expression
Building more connected and confident young generations
In places where emotional struggles often remain unspoken, even small moments of support can spark powerful change.
