Climate Resilient Communities
Climate change is a serious threat, especially to the communities living below the poverty line. These vulnerable populations often lack the resources and infrastructure needed to withstand the impacts of climate-related disasters.
Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and unpredictable agricultural conditions further exacerbate their already precarious situation, leading to increased food insecurity, displacement, and economic instability.
Addressing the challenges of climate change for these communities requires urgent action and innovative solutions. This includes investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as flood defenses and drought-resistant crops, as well as implementing sustainable development initiatives that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable.
Additionally, empowering communities through education, capacity-building, and inclusive decision-making processes is essential in building their resilience to climate change. Top of Form
Islamic Relief Pakistan is actively engaged in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and building resilience within vulnerable communities. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on those living below the poverty line, Islamic Relief Pakistan has implemented various initiatives aimed at mitigating these effects and promoting sustainable development.
One of the key focus areas of Islamic Relief Pakistan’s climate action efforts is disaster risk reduction and response. Through community-based disaster preparedness programmes, we are working with local communities to develop early warning systems, emergency evacuation plans, and disaster-resilient infrastructure to minimize the impact of climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.
Transforming Weather Forecasting
Muhammad Ajmal Shah, the Director of the Regional Meteorological Center in Quetta, has dedicated the past two years to serving the people of Balochistan. The station he used to work on had outdated systems making the team unable to predict weather changes and events.
“With my professional skills and the collaborative efforts of team, we strive to provide timely and accurate weather forecasts to the people of Balochistan. However, the unavailability of certain equipment has made it difficult to maintain a seamless flow of information.”
Islamic Relief Pakistan provided the meteorological center with an automatic weather station. This initiative aims to reduce disaster risk and enhance preparedness for future natural disasters. The automatic weather station measures, records, and transmits essential weather parameters, including temperature, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and precipitation. The newly installed Automatic Weather Station enables timely warnings for airports, farmers, and residents in the area regarding adverse weather conditions such as clouds, thunderstorms, storms, or monsoon rains.
“The upgradation will help the met station to promptly alert citizens about potential disastrous situations, enabling timely updates for risk measurement and mitigation. This technology has a positive impact on the lives of approximately 25 million individuals.”
Islamic Relief Pakistan also prioritizes sustainable livelihoods initiatives that help communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. This includes promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, such as rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, and crop diversification, to enhance food security and improve resilience to climate variability.
Battling Food Insecurity
Zahid Ali of Killi Ali Khan Bedian is a farmer. He grows onions and cotton on his land. He had tried growing vegetables in the past but failed because of inclement weather.
“The hot winds of summer wilt the plants and I could hardly ever grow any vegetables.”
Since he owned his own land and a water source, he was given a green tunnel by Islamic Relief, to grow vegetables throughout the year. He has been growing eggplant, tomatoes, chilies and okra. He says that he expects about five hundred kilograms of produce per year through this green tunnel.
Zahid Ali says that so far, he has not been selling his vegetables.
“I have been giving them away to those residents of my village who have difficulty making ends meet.”
Lighting Lives
Hazuura Khatoon is an elderly women living with her daughter in village Malook Maachhi, Dadu, Sindh. In the floods of 2022 Hazuura fled her home along with her daughter to save their lives but unfortunately they were not able to save anything from that they built spending their whole lives. Hazuura used to work as a daily wager in the nearby agricultural fields but since the floods her income has also been disturbed and with no one else to support them, it has been getting difficult for them to survive even after a whole year has passed by.
“When we came back to the village we had to live in the sheds made out of clothes that were just enough to protect us from the heat. But after dark it was like living on the open roads again just like at the time of floods. There was no light to see in the dark and protect us from insects and animals.”
Huzuura Khatoon finally received a permanent shelter from Islamic Relief Pakistan protecting the family form the winters but there was no source of electricity in the village. Islamic Relief Pakistan provided her with a solar system.
“I had never seen anything like this before, I’m old but these things are new to me. We never had electricity in this village but now we can have electricity with the help of solar panels.”
Huzuura Khatoon finally received a permanent shelter from Islamic Relief Pakistan protecting the family form the winters but there was no source of electricity in the village. Islamic Relief Pakistan provided her with a solar system.
“I had never seen anything like this before, I’m old but these things are new to me. We never had electricity in this village but now we can have electricity with the help of solar panels.”
Through these integrated approaches, Islamic Relief Pakistan is working to build climate-resilient communities that are better equipped to cope with the challenges of climate change and achieve sustainable development outcomes. By empowering communities, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering resilience, Islamic Relief Pakistan is making a tangible difference in the lives of those most affected by climate change in Pakistan.