Building Resilience in Pakistan: Empowering Vulnerable Communities to Combat Climate Change

Pakistan faces growing challenges from climate change, ranking as the eighth most affected country globally. Vulnerable communities are disproportionately impacted by recurring natural disasters, threatening socio-economic stability, food security, health, and energy production. While various climate action initiatives have been launched, community-focused interventions remain underfunded. GIZ Pakistan has sought to address these challenges through the Strengthening Climate Adaptation and Resilience (SAR) project. This project has reached approximately 30,000 beneficiaries through innovative awareness-raising and capacity-building initiatives. By prioritising inclusive climate action, the project tailored its efforts to the needs of marginalised populations, fostering resilience where it is needed most.

This project has employed a multi-faceted strategy to engage diverse groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Innovative tools like street theatre have been used to disseminate information about local climate issues, fostering grassroots engagement and participation. Over 7,000 individuals were reached through 30 street performances which addressed topics in an engaging and accessible manner. Training programmes were conducted to build the capacity of community members and health workers, with sessions focusing on health, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and disaster risk reduction. 80 female health workers were trained and in turn acted as multipliers, spreading their knowledge to 3,148 community members through peer-to-peer training sessions. Additionally, 450 individuals were trained in disaster risk reduction strategies, equipping them with practical skills to respond to emergencies.

Youth engagement was another critical component of this project and was addressed by introducing climate clubs and involving District Youth Forums in outreach and awareness raising activities. In schools, 20 climate clubs were established, involving 400 students and 40 teachers in climate resilience activities. These clubs engaged students in the observance of international days, plantation drives, and competitions, reaching an additional 4,727 students, embedding climate awareness into educational activities.

In rural areas, the project introduced climate-smart agriculture practices through 10 Farmer Field Schools, which engaged 200 participants. Farmers were trained in technologies such as solar-powered irrigation and soil diagnostic kits. These trainings resulted in the establishment of 10 model villages showcasing the practical application of the knowledge and techniques shared. Women farmers benefitted from the creation of 40 food production gardens aiming to enhance food security and sustainability, with participants replicating these practices.

Project activities were bolstered by collaboration with key government departments at both the provincial and district levels. These included departments relating to education, public health, agriculture, municipal administration, planning and development, disaster management, and social welfare. This multi-stakeholder approach ensured that the project aligned with existing policies, leveraged resources effectively, and enhanced the sustainability of its initiatives. The involvement of the government departments created a foundation for replicating and scaling up climate resilience efforts across the region.

The project delivered tangible results, demonstrating the transformative power of community-focused climate action. Communities gained vital knowledge and tools to address climate risks, with women, youth, and other marginalised groups taking proactive roles in resilience-building activities. By addressing the unique needs of vulnerable populations and prioritising grassroots solutions, this project highlights the importance of investing in inclusive and sustainable initiatives. At the same time, it ensures communities are empowered to take ownership of local climate adaptation efforts.