Pakistan: IFRC Network Annual Report 2023, Jan-Dec (28 August 2024) – Pakistan

GENERAL PROGRESS

Context

In 2023, Pakistan faced several major challenges that directly impacted its humanitarian and development situation. The country struggled with a severe economic downturn, due to high inflation rates, a depreciating currency, and declining foreign exchange reserves. The economic instability, in turn, led to increased poverty and reduced funding for social development projects. Political unrest and instability throughout the year, including protests, leadership changes, and conflicts between political parties, led to disruptions and diverted attention and resources from the pressing development issues.

Pakistan is among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. The unprecedented monsoon floods of 2022 are the latest example of the climate crisis hitting the country, affecting more than 33 million people. Pakistan has also faced other climate-related challenges, including heat waves and water scarcity, which have affected agriculture, food security and other health issues.

Furthermore, the country faces a higher prevalence of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The burden of diseases affects the poor the most. Communicable diseases, maternal health problems and malnutrition dominated half of the overall health problems. The prevalence of diseases is exacerbated by the poor quality of water. Most of the population in the country is exposed to the hazards of drinking unsafe and polluted water from both surface and groundwater sources, resulting in 40 percent of gastroenteritis (GIT) related morbidities and 50 percent of deaths related to polluted water.

Humanitarian needs remained significant, particularly among internally displaced populations, refugees and marginalized communities. Pakistan is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world, hosting 1.3 million registered refugees, the majority of whom are Afghans.

Moreover, Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced displacement and has experienced large-scale population movements as a result of recent climate events.

The economic, social, political and climatic events together pose major challenges to Pakistan’s development and have therefore shaped the Organization’s priorities, strategies and interventions to meet the country’s changing humanitarian and development needs.

Key achievements

Climate and environment

The Pakistan Red Crescent launched a locally-led adaptation project as part of the IFRC Global Climate Resilience Programme to enhance climate resilience and adaptive capacities. Phase I focused on assessing community needs and creating actionable steps. Key achievements of the National Society include conducting a national climate risk assessment (CRA), which included extensive assessments and consultations, highlighting vulnerabilities and impacts on marginalized groups, and finalizing the CRA report. In addition, the National Society’s climate-smart screening phase evaluated 58 policies and programs, identifying opportunities to integrate climate-smart practices, thereby increasing the organization’s capacity to address climate change. The submission and approval of a concept note for Phase II of the project also took place during the reporting period.

Disasters and crisesS

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society continued to provide shelter, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), cash and material assistance to people affected by the 2022 floods. The National Society worked to enhance its cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programme by partnering with two financial service providers to implement cash-based interventions nationwide. The National Society’s technical working groups, including disaster management, forecast-based financing and cash, played a crucial role in the smooth implementation of interventions across the country. Following a feasibility study, the National Society also developed an IFRC-DREF early action protocol (EAP) for the Kabul River Basin to address frequent flooding, targeting people in high-risk areas. Under Strategy 2030, the Global Crises Data Bank (GCDB) project was launched to improve capacity for anticipatory action and response. In addition, extensive training for the National Disaster Response Team and participation in capacity building initiatives strengthened the National Society’s disaster response capabilities.

Health and well-being

The Pakistan Red Crescent, as the relief agency of the Government of Pakistan, continued to strengthen its humanitarian capacities, focusing on public health emergencies and routine immunization. In 2023, it supported 23 primary health facilities, including primary health centers in Bannu and South Waziristan, and expanded its outreach. The National Society fully vaccinated approximately 30,000 children and provided tetanus vaccination to women of childbearing age. Through its routine immunization program, the National Society focused on hard-to-reach and high-risk areas, including Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Bannu, and South Waziristan. In March 2023, it trained 100 vaccinators on vaccine-preventable diseases in Killa Abdullah and provided interpersonal and risk communication training to staff in Peshawar in June 2023.

Migration and displacement

In 2023, the Pakistan Red Crescent launched multiple initiatives to support vulnerable refugee families across Pakistan. They distributed multi-purpose cash grants and family hygiene kits to 4,350 Afghan refugee families, with specific distributions in Chaman, Quetta, Karachi, Chitral and Bannu. The National Society also deployed a health unit at a border crossing for Afghan returnees, providing health care, including hospital referrals and first aid to Afghan refugees. In addition, with the support of the ICRC, the National Society worked to provide Restoring Family Links services to 2,717 individuals. The National Society also provided livelihood support to Pakistani returnees from Turkey, providing assistance in the form of rickshaws, loaders, livestock and cash grants.

Values, Power and Inclusion

The Pakistan Red Crescent conducted orientation sessions on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) for new staff, integrated these approaches across sectors and set up a comprehensive complaints and redress system with a referral directory for cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Accordingly, it conducted field monitoring to prioritize and diversify responses to target groups. In Sindh and Balochistan, staff and volunteers were trained in PGI and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), with service providers for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) mapped in five districts. The integration of the Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) approach was also strengthened during this reporting period. This included the involvement of community members in the planning, assessment, implementation and evaluation of interventions. A hotline complemented by feedback desks at distribution sites facilitated feedback and received 4,727 responses during the post-flood emergency operation. Provincial departments also maintained their own hotlines to receive feedback.

Empowering local actors

In 2023, Pakistan Red Crescent welcomed 250 students through its annual Summer Mentorship Programme – the students completed various projects under mentorship, improving their project management skills. The IFRCICRC NSIA Bridge Fund project saw the installation of donation boxes at 25 locations and the registration of 1,500 associate members for fundraising. The National Society concluded a youth engagement project aimed at promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project established 167 youth clubs across the country and focused on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, first aid and psychosocial support. In addition, the VIA Road Safety Education Project trained students in road safety and scaled its initiatives to 25 schools, culminating in a national road safety conference. Pakistan Red Crescent improved its communication strategy, online presence and image through digital platforms and media engagement.