Dadu, Sindh:- Delegation led by the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Dr. Riina Kionka, embarked on a one-day field mission to Dadu, Sindh to witness the impact and scale of support provided by the European Union (EU) to flood-affected communities in an area that was among the worst hit by devastating floods in 2022. As a result of unprecedented rainfall and flooding , which swept across Pakistan in 2022, the EU launched a comprehensive initiative to provide immediate assistance, building community resilience through climate-resilient housing, sanitation, livelihood opportunities and child protection services.
The delegation visited EU-funded project sites in four villages across Dadu, where the UN World Food Program (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children International (SCI) Pakistan are implementing a development program on behalf of the European Union. projects aimed at rehabilitating community assets, providing child protection, education and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as well as community shelters.
During the visit, the delegation observed the distribution of financial assistance to participants within the WFP project. The ambassador and her team inspected the irrigation of rainwater catchment ponds, communal washing pads and protective paths. The delegation also met with businesswomen who revived their livelihoods after the 2022 floods, for example by opening tuck shops and tailoring businesses. Village Development Committees led by women shared their challenges and aspirations with the delegation.
The delegation also visited places where UNICEF provides child protection and education services from EU funds. At the children’s center and safe space for girls and women, the ambassador witnessed children participating in recreational activities and teenage girls and women learning vocational skills such as embroidery and sewing. In these facilities, trained professionals also provide psychosocial support to help them recover from trauma and raise awareness of protection from violence and abuse.
In addition to teaching and learning materials, UNICEF also provides safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, especially for girls, in all rehabilitated schools.
The delegation further visited sites where SCI Pakistan has created child-friendly space, climate-resilient housing and sanitation facilities, and engaged in discussions with project beneficiaries. At the end of their visit, they also watched a livelihood initiative focused on gardening, sustainable agriculture and livestock support.
Ambassador Riina Kionka said on the ground that the field visit underscores the EU’s commitment to support development work in Pakistan; “Although almost two years have passed, the communities affected by the floods still require our attention and support. While I am pleased that EU support has made a significant difference to the lives of those most affected, the looming threat of climate change means that extreme weather will become more frequent.
WFP Sindh Provincial Office Manager Ms. Judith Lumu, Prem Bahadur Chand, UNICEF Field Office Manager – Sindh, and SCI Pakistan Deputy Country Director Bilal Taj joined the delegation and showed the Ambassador and First Secretary Dr. Christian Raitz von Frentz has many activities going on.
WFP, UNICEF and SCI Pakistan are currently implementing these three projects with a financial volume of €12 million for the European Union in 13 districts in three provinces in Pakistan: Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. EUR 12 million was allocated in favor of 22,365 households. Across the country, the EU spent €227 million in grant aid for humanitarian and recovery projects to support flood-affected communities. EU Member States contributed an additional €689 million in subsidized loans (€438 million) and grants (€251 million), excluding their other in-kind aid.
