In the aftermath of the devastating floods that struck Pakistan in 2022, the country has utilized only a fraction of the donor funding pledged for recovery projects. According to a media report, as of May, Pakistan had disbursed a mere 29.4% or $1.091 billion of the total $3.36 billion pledged by international donors and local funds.
The federal government has utilized $258.89 million against the allocated $829.4 million, while provincial progress varies significantly. Punjab has achieved 100% financial progress, while Balochistan shows the lowest utilization rate of 1.7%. Sindh has utilized 41.2% and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has achieved 3.5% progress.
The floods, which submerged one-third of Pakistan and affected 33 million people, caused extensive damage to water systems. Over 5.4 million people are forced to rely on contaminated water from ponds and wells. Ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, Pakistan faces increasing risks of extreme weather events in the future.
A UN report has estimated the total damage from the floods at $14.9 billion, with losses totaling $15.2 billion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of transparency in implementing flood recovery projects. The meeting, held almost two years after the devastating floods, aimed to review progress and ensure a resilient Pakistan ahead of the next monsoon season.
