Muslim Aid Pakistan constructs smart houses for vulnerable families in Chitral

PESHAWAR: Muslim Aid Pakistan had constructed 50 smart houses equipped with latrines for the most vulnerable families in Upper and Lower Chitral, a gathering was told here.

Muslim Aid Pakistan held the closing ceremony of its landmark project, Chitral Relief and Recovery – Empowering Communities through Immediate Relief and Recovery Initiatives.”A diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from disaster and relief organizations like NDMA and PDMA KP, NGOs, INGOs, philanthropists, and other prominent figures from the humanitarian sector attended the event.

A communique said Muslim Aid had constructed 50 smart houses equipped with latrines for the most vulnerable families in Upper and Lower Chitral, empowering 200 women through economic training in embroidery and the dry-fruit sectors while providing them with essential toolkits. Additionally, the project distributed 1,000 fruit plants to 100 households in collaboration with the KP Social Conservation Department, rehabilitated eight irrigation water channels, and restored WASH facilities in four healthcare centers and four schools. Furthermore, eight water supply schemes were repaired, ensuring clean water access for affected communities.

The chief guest, Adnan Qadri, Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, and Religious Affairs, lauded Muslim Aid Pakistan’s relentless efforts in reaching Chitral’s disaster-prone and remote areas. He emphasized the importance of community engagement programs and pledged the KP Government’s full support for similar initiatives. “Service to humanity is a core teaching of Islam, and organizations like Muslim Aid are setting a remarkable example by uplifting vulnerable communities,” he said.

Guest of Honor, Yousaf Rahim, Secretary of Relief, Rehabilitation, and Settlement Department for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed his gratitude to Muslim Aid Pakistan for providing a “beacon of hope” to flood-affected communities. He urged stakeholders to collaborate on initiatives to mitigate future disaster risks in the region. Dr. Asif Iqbal, Country Director of Muslim Aid Pakistan, highlighted the devastating impacts of floods in KP and elaborated on the extensive recovery efforts undertaken by the organization.