GILGIT, November 6 (ABC): Canada has launched two major initiatives worth CAD 35 million to strengthen climate resilience, restore livelihoods and improve healthcare services in vulnerable communities across Pakistan.
The High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, H.E. Tarik Ali Khan, launched the CAD 15 million “Recovery and Climate Resilience in Flood-Affected Areas of Pakistan” (RENEW) project in Gilgit-Baltistan. The project will be implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation.
First announced during the visit of Canada’s Foreign Minister, Anita Anand, to Pakistan in July 2026, the project aims to help vulnerable mountain and coastal communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Sindh’s Thatta and Badin districts recover from seasonal flooding.
It will strengthen disaster preparedness and long-term resilience to climate change and future shocks, with a particular focus on women and girls.
The project includes rehabilitation of damaged irrigation systems and reclamation of land to restore agricultural productivity. It will also provide seeds, tools and livestock to improve agriculture and food security while promoting climate-smart and organic farming practices.
In addition, the initiative will support enterprise development, vocational training, and youth and women-led entrepreneurship through the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme’s (AKRSP) “START – Apna Karobar” programme.
The High Commissioner also announced a CAD 50,000 initiative through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan and FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan.
Under this initiative, food assistance and essential winterisation items will be provided to 123 disaster-affected households in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.
The assistance will help vulnerable women, girls, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities meet their immediate needs and reduce exposure to cold-related risks while longer-term recovery efforts continue.
CAD 20 million healthcare initiative launched
During his visit to a rural health centre in Shigar, the High Commissioner also launched “Sehat Ka Safar,” a CAD 20 million multi-year healthcare initiative previously announced by Foreign Minister Anand.
The initiative will be implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP) to improve reproductive, maternal and adolescent health services in underserved districts of Pakistan.
Speaking to stakeholders, High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan said Canada had been a longstanding partner of Pakistan during times of crisis.
“Climate change and recent flooding have left millions of people facing damaged infrastructure, lost livelihoods and rising climate risks. Together, we are investing to support these communities recover and build back better,” he said.
Jamil Uddin, General Manager of AKRSP, said RENEW builds on the longstanding partnership between Global Affairs Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation, drawing on the integrated expertise of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its partners.
He said strengthening resilience had become increasingly important as climate impacts continued to threaten vulnerable communities.
“RENEW will reach 690,000 people across 14 flood-affected districts, strengthening essential services and livelihoods while promoting locally led solutions, particularly for women and girls,” he added.
Dr. Gulnara Kydyrkulova, Deputy Representative of UNFPA, welcomed the continued partnership with Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation.
She said UNFPA would work alongside the Government of Pakistan to improve the lives of women, girls and children across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh by increasing their access to quality health services and education.
She added that through Sehat Ka Safar, the partners aim to empower families, particularly women and girls, with the knowledge, skills and services needed to make informed decisions about their health and future, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Canada launches CAD 35m projects for climate resilience, healthcare in Pakistan
