Islamic Relief Worldwide and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have formally announced a partnership to help support communities in Sindh that have been devastated by the worst floods in decades. The partnership between Islamic Relief and the UNDP will create income opportunities for households affected by the floods in Pakistan, and support the construction of vital community infrastructures.
The worst floods in decades
The devastating floods in Pakistan have affected over 33 million people. Millions of people are thought to have become homeless, livelihoods have been destroyed, and critical infrastructure such as health facilities, roads, and bridges has been wiped out.
Estimates of total damages and losses in Pakistan are expected to exceed $10 billion. The disaster has particularly impacted the poorest and most vulnerable districts. Households in affected communities in deprived areas like Sindh and Balochistan, showed an average poverty rate of more than 31 per cent, well above the national average of 21.9 per cent, even before the floods.
An important collaboration
In response, the UNDP and Islamic Relief will help communities with cash for work opportunities, through which local people can earn money as they help to repair their communities. An initial target of 10,000 cash for work hours will be set, with an increased focus on the inclusion of women.
Simultaneously, IRW will identify rehabilitation schemes that can be started immediately.
Knut Ostby, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan with Asif Sherazi, Country Director, Islamic Relief Pakistan, and Aliona Niculita, UNDP Pakistan Deputy Resident Representative were all present at the signing ceremony of the UNDP and Islamic Relief partnership.
While speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby stated: “Aligned with UNDP’s Flood Recovery Vision, through this partnership, we aim to revive livelihoods and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in impacted districts of Sindh.”
At the same ceremony, Asif Sherazi, Country Director of Islamic Relief Pakistan added: “The scale of devastation has been unprecedented. Islamic Relief strongly believes that collaborations and partnerships are vital in this hour of need to reach the most in need before another crisis emerges. Our strong community connections are helping us to reach the most in need.”
This collaboration is an extension of UNDP and Islamic Relief’s global and regional partnership in reaching and building resilience in conflict-affected areas.