Tackling floods, climate change: Pakistan launches landmark recharge project

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched the transformative Recharge Pakistan project, aimed at building climate resilience in communities vulnerable to worsening floods, heatwaves, and droughts. The initiative, inaugurated at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services, Islamabad on Tuesday comes as the country faces increasing climate-related disasters that have left significant damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and communities. “Pakistan is witnessing devastating floods and heatwaves which threaten our communities, economy, and infrastructure. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, we are committed to mitigating these risks and building resilience against the adverse effects of climate change,” said Romina Khurshid, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, at the launch.

The Recharge Pakistan project brings together a coalition of international and national partners, including the Ministry of Climate Change, Federal Flood Commission (FFC), Green Climate Fund (GCF), USAID, The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The project will be implemented by WWF-Pakistan, in collaboration with government departments and local communities, focusing on sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.

Musadiq Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Water Resources, highlighted the community-driven nature of the project. “Too often, climate solutions overlook the human element. Recharge Pakistan is different. It places people at the heart of its efforts, empowering vulnerable communities to shape their futures. Climate justice is about ensuring that those most affected have their voices heard. By restoring water flow paths, developing recharge basins, and creating retention areas, the project aims to directly benefit over 680,000 people and indirectly support more than seven million.”

Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, emphasized the significance of the initiative. “Today marks a decisive step in Pakistan’s climate journey. We are setting a powerful example of how community-driven solutions can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change.”

The US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, reinforced the US’s enduring commitment to climate action in Pakistan. “Recharge Pakistan builds on our decades-long water management partnership. By restoring groundwater storage and rehabilitating floodwater channels, we are not just mitigating floods but building a greener, more prosperous future for Pakistan.”

Blome also highlighted that Recharge Pakistan will create 127 new groundwater storage basins, reforest flood-prone areas, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 52,900 tons of carbon dioxide. “Together, we can reverse some of the worst impacts of climate change while lifting up local communities.”