Canada, UNFPA and Aga Khan Foundation Launch new Initiatives to Strengthen Climate Resilience, Livelihoods and Healthcare in Pakistan
GILGIT, Gilgit-Baltistan : The High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, H.E. Tarik Ali Khan, launched “Recovery and Climate Resilience in Flood-Affected Areas of Pakistan (RENEW) a CAD $15 million project implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation.
First announced during the visit of Canada’s Foreign Minister, the Honourable Anita Anand, to Pakistan in July 2026, this project will help vulnerable mountain and coastal communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Sindh’s Thatta and Badin districts recover from seasonal flooding. It will strengthen disaster preparedness and long-term resilience to climate change and future shocks, with a focus on women and girls.
The project’s interventions include rehabilitation of damaged irrigation systems and reclaiming land to restore agricultural productivity; providing seeds, tools and livestock to improve agriculture and food security; and promoting climate-smart and organic farming practices. The project is also supporting enterprise development, vocational training and youth, and women-led entrepreneurship through the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme’s “START -Apna Karobar” programme.
The High Commissioner also announced that via the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan and FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, Pakistan, food assistance and essential winterization items will be provided to 123 disaster-affected households in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. This CAD $50,000 initiative will help vulnerable women, girls, children, seniors, and persons with disabilities meet their immediate needs and reduce their exposure to cold-related risks. Protecting their immediate health and safety is essential while longer-term recovery efforts get underway.
In Shigar, the High Commissioner visited a rural health centre to launch “Sehat Ka Safar” which was also announced by Foreign Minister Anand. This CAD $20 million multi-year initiative will be delivered by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan (AKFP). It will invest in reproductive, maternal and adolescent health services in underserved districts of Pakistan.
Speaking to the stakeholders, H.E. Tarik Ali Khan, remarked, “Canada has been a long-standing partner of Pakistan in times of crisis. Climate change and recent flooding have left millions of people facing damaged infrastructure, lost livelihoods and rising climate risks. Together, we are investing to support these communities recover and build back better.”
Jamil Uddin, General Manager, AKRSP added, “RENEW builds on the longstanding partnership between Global Affairs Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation, drawing on the integrated expertise of AKDN and its partners. As climate impacts increasingly threaten vulnerable communities, strengthening resilience is more important than ever. RENEW will reach 690,000 people across 14 flood-affected districts, strengthening essential services and livelihoods while promoting locally led solutions, particularly for women and girls.”
Dr. Gulnara Kydyrkulova, Deputy Representative UNFPA, shared that UNFPA is delighted to continue our partnership with Canada and Aga Khan Foundation to work alongside the Government of Pakistan to improve the lives of women, girls and children across GB, KP and Sindh by increasing their access to quality health services and education. Together, through Sehat Ka Safar, we seek to empower families, especially women and girls, with the knowledge, skills and services they need to make informed choices about their families health and future and ensure that no one is left behind.
