After the Floods: Supporting Pakistan in Building Back Better
In 2022 Pakistan experienced one of the worst floods in the history of the country. More than 33 million people and 65% of the country was affected. Key infrastructure, health facilities and schools were severely damaged and many people lost their homes and livelihoods. Helvetas is helping rebuild safer homes, restore vital drinking water systems and better protect agriculture from future disasters.
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Project NameEarly Recovery Support for Most Affected Population from Floods
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Project Phase2024 to 2025
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FundingThis project is funded by Swiss Solidarity and donations.
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Thematic focusHumanitarian Response
WASH & Water Governance
In the late summer of 2022, heavy monsoon rains led to one of the worst floods in Pakistan's history. Around 65% of the country was affected and 72 districts were classified as disaster areas. Health facilities, schools, institutions, bridges, roads and infrastructure in various parts of the country were severely damaged and the homes and livelihoods of many people were destroyed.
In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, Helvetas supported affected families with food aid and supplied farmers with wheat seeds so that they could begin regrowing vital staple foods. Helvetas also helped restore critical drinking water supplies to enable people to return to the affected areas.
Phase I of this project was completed in 2023, and Phase II began in 2024.
Helvetas’ activities have transitioned from emergency aid to longer-term solutions for infrastructure, housing and the agricultural sector that will help an estimated 56,000 people build back better and be more resilient to future floods.
Building safer housing
Due to a lack of knowledge on safe reconstruction techniques and limited financial means, people often reconstruct their houses using traditional methods, utilizing dry sticks sourced from local trees and shrubs along with mud plaster. With support from Helvetas and our partners, 275 people were trained in shelter reconstruction and repairs and 255 houses have now been repaired or reconstructed. The house designs are based on traditional techniques but have been improved to better withstand environmental hazards. Project engineers support the technical aspects of the builds and provide quality control at select construction milestones, ensuring these new homes are built to last.
Improving water and sanitation systems
An estimated 8 million people — nearly half of which are children — are still living without access to safe water in the flood-affected areas. Helvetas is working to address the most critical water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs in affected districts by reconstructing water supply systems (including a focus on better water quality through ultrafiltration), repairing and constructing community latrines, and providing training to local community workers on water quality monitoring, maintenance of infrastructure, and hygiene promotion.
Revamping the agricultural sector
Food was quickly identified as the most critical and urgent need of everyone affected by the floods. But a major impediment for the recovery of food production is the damage to irrigation infrastructure that served hundreds of acres. Helvetas is working to rehabilitate damaged irrigation systems and to rebuild and strengthen flood management infrastructure so this essential sector for food security and livelihoods can become operational again.
Locally led interventions
Helvetas’ activities are always implemented in close collaboration with our local partner organizations. Two local nonprofits, the Voice for Education and Equal Rights and the Research and Development Foundation, play an instrumental role in both phases of the project. This includes providing essential emergency supplies, as well as temporary shelters, latrines and washrooms.
