AKDN attends the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan 2023-01-09

Geneva, Switzerland, 9 January 2023 – At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the UN Secretary General, a delegation led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan and Princess Zahra Aga Khan, representing the Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), attended the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations (UN) at the Palais des Nations. The Conference convened leaders from government, civil society and the private sector to mobilise continued support for the enormous challenge of reconstruction and rehabilitation that lies ahead for Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022.

The UN, World Bank, EU and Asian Development Bank have supported the Government of Pakistan to develop its Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), estimating flood and economic losses at $30 billion and reconstruction needs at $16 billion.

The PDNA has identified core priorities that include the revival of livelihoods and agriculture, the rebuilding of private housing and the reconstruction of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools and hospitals. This forms the basis for the Government’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF) that was presented at the Conference and whose goals include reducing the impact on developmental gains, so as not to hinder the progress of future generations, and helping the country build long-term resilience to climate-induced disasters.

Consistent with the Imamat and AKDN’s enduring commitment to Pakistan, and specifically climate resilience and adaptation, Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra expressed strong support for the 4RF. The Imamat has contributed $10 million towards the response to last year’s unprecedented flooding, and from the onset AKDN has been working to alleviate the impact on vulnerable communities across the country. As the crisis unfolded, thousands of people in affected areas were evacuated to safety, housed with host families or in temporary shelters, and provided with food and medical attention. The Aga Khan University healthcare camps have treated over 400,000 people in flood areas.

AKDN’s overall response plan seeks to not only provide immediate humanitarian relief, but like the 4RF, help communities recover and build back with long-term resilience to future disasters. To this end, Prince Rahim and Princess Zahra reiterated the commitment to deepen AKDN’s numerous activities on the ground, in alignment with the 4RF and in continued collaboration with the government, communities and international partners.

AKDN prioritises climate action in all the countries in which it works and sees the Pakistan flooding as yet another example of the urgent action collectively required.

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(UN website)

The International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, took place on 9 January 2023.

The Conference brought together Governments, leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society to support the people and the Government of Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022. It had two main objectives:

Present the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), which lays out a multisectoral strategy for rehabilitation and reconstruction in a climate-resilient and inclusive manner

Secure international support and forge long-term partnerships for building Pakistan’s climate resilience and adaptation.

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Purpose

Co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan took place on 9 January 2023, in Geneva, in the backdrop of the devastating floods in 2022.

The conference brought together the international community to reaffirm solidarity with Pakistan, to review the recovery needs of the affected population, and to identify support required to reconstruct and rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure in a resilient manner.

Since June 2022, a combination of heavy rains and riverine, urban, and flash flooding has led to an unprecedented natural disaster in Pakistan. Floods have affected 33 million people, with more than 1,730 lives lost as well as 2 million housing units impacted, and several thousands of schools and hospitals damaged or destroyed. Estimates suggest that the national poverty rate may increase, pushing an additional 9.1 million people below the poverty line. Existing health and food insecurities are exacerbated by the disaster, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable.

The Government of Pakistan led a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which was prepared with the support of a Core Group of partners comprising the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the United Nations Agencies, and the World Bank Group. The PDNA estimates recovery needs at over USD 16 billion.  Housing, agriculture and livestock, as well as transport and communication sectors were most impacted. Sindh was the province worst-affected by the disaster, followed by Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.

Based on the PDNA, the Core Group has supported the Government of Pakistan in developing a Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework (4RF). The 4RF provides an overarching framework for planning, financing, implementing and monitoring Pakistan’s resilient recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

The conference provided an opportunity to present the 4RF, secure international support, and forge long-term partnerships for building Pakistan’s climate resilience and adaptation.

Announcements

During the conference, delegations recalled their assistance to the immediate relief efforts and affirmed their support to the people of Pakistan for a resilient recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. Delegations expressed their solidarity and announced commitments of financial support to the realization of the objectives and priority areas outlined in the 4RF, as well as to ongoing humanitarian efforts. Taken as a whole these commitments totaled more than USD 9 billion from both bilateral and multilateral partners. Further announcements for in-kind support were made by a number of delegations.

Action Plan

The conference marked the beginning of a structured process of support for Pakistan’s recovery, aligning humanitarian relief, early recovery with broader long-term sustainable development in a resilient manner.

The conference identified the principles / action plan for Pakistan’s resilient recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The structured process of support for Pakistan’s resilient recovery will be based on the following elements:

Developing and agreeing detailed plans for specific recovery interventions. Based on the PDNA, and following priorities and implementation arrangements outlined in the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), concrete recovery interventions will be designed and finalized. This will include interventions across the four strategic recovery objectives: SRO1: Enhance governance and the capacities of the state institutions to restore lives and livelihoods of the affected people, especially the most vulnerable; SRO2: Restore livelihoods and economic opportunities; SRO3: Ensure social inclusion and participation; SRO4: Restore and improve basic services and physical infrastructure in a resilient and sustainable manner.

Working from the immediate to long-term. The recovery process will range from immediate to long-term recovery needs. As the country transitions into long-term reconstruction, priorities should include financing the most immediate and time critical components of the 4RF, including urgent social expenditures aimed at preventing health crisis, mitigating the impact of winter as well as the rains in the next monsoon season and restoring livelihoods.

Long term Resilience Framework. Beyond the recovery needs identified by the PDNA and 4RF, a long-term Resilience Framework is needed, which will guide building resilience and Pakistan’s capacity to withstand future shocks.

Promoting inclusiveness. The recovery process is rooted in an inclusive whole-of-Pakistan approach, recognizing the role of national and provincial stakeholders, supporting all segments of the society.

Developing a financing strategy. A credible and detailed financing plan, which includes fostering public-private partnerships will be developed.

Project Preparation. A Facility will be established, or the UNDP supported Project Preparation Facility already established within Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance will be reinforced, with a dedicated fund to finance the professional development by qualified consultants of viable projects, selected from the 4RF framework, for official, private and public-private financing and/or investment.

Monitoring and Evaluation. Effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparency in funding allocation and spending combined with public communications on recovery progress.

Establishing an International Partners Support Group. An “International Partners’Support Group to Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction” will be established under the leadership of the Government. The Group will assist Pakistan develop concrete plans and projects and help secure financial and other commitments of support for the implementation of these plans and projects over the coming years.

Other Support. Pakistan welcomes any other support from other partners based on their existing international aid/support frameworks or other arrangements or protocols.