The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has successfully completed a crucial emergency project that provided vital support to flood-affected farming and herding communities in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Sindh provinces. This initiative was made possible through the generous funding from the Government of Japan.
The FAO-led intervention, supported by a contribution of $6.48 million, aimed at restoring food production, enhancing household nutrition, and building long-term resilience in areas that were severely impacted by the unprecedented 2022 floods.
Over 74,000 households — benefiting more than 520,000 individuals — received assistance from this initiative. The project effectively combined agricultural support with livestock protection and specifically targeted aid for female-headed families.
A project completion event was held on July 14 at the FAO premises in Islamabad to highlight the key achievements and to express appreciation for Japan’s significant contribution. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, the FAO Representative in Pakistan, Florence Rolle, and senior representatives from national and provincial partner organizations.
Ambassador Akamatsu emphasized, “The Government of Japan has always prioritised human security in its development cooperation. This project reflects our commitment to helping the people of Pakistan recover from the devastating floods and rebuild their lives through practical and sustainable agricultural support.”
FAO’s comprehensive response included the distribution of seeds, fertilizers, and training to help families restart food production. Over 14,000 households received inputs for cultivating vegetables and field crops, and 1,500 hectares of agricultural land were rehabilitated. As a direct result, farming families were able to grow a diverse range of crops, including wheat, rice, maize, okra, brinjal, and tomatoes, significantly improving food availability and creating new income opportunities.
Support for livestock-owning families encompassed the distribution of animal feed, mineral blocks, poultry, and small ruminants. This was complemented by the construction of animal shelters and a large-scale mass vaccination campaign that reached over 629,000 animals, benefiting 35,000 households. A special focus was placed on female-headed households, who received dedicated livestock and poultry packages along with training in animal care and poultry production, designed to diversify and stabilize their incomes.
Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, remarked, “This project made a real difference in the lives of rural communities that lost nearly everything to the floods. With Japan’s timely support, families not only regained their ability to produce food but also strengthened their resilience against future shocks.”
Implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, disaster management authorities, and non-governmental partners, the project also played a crucial role in enhancing local knowledge of climate-smart practices, food security planning, and livestock management. This has effectively laid a robust foundation for more resilient rural systems in the future.
