Islamabad: The Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) has approved a landmark USD 10 million project aimed at improving water resource management in the Indus River Basin, as reported on October 16.
As per details, the project, known as the Indus-Sustainable Actions for Ecosystems Restoration (SAFER), is led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MOCCEC). Implemented in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), SAFER places a strong emphasis on nature-based solutions (NbS) and aims to enhance the participation of women, youth, and children in climate resilience efforts.
With 90% of Pakistan’s population and over three-quarters of its economy reliant on the Indus Basin, changes in the river’s flow due to climate change pose significant risks to the country’s economic stability and ecological health. SAFER seeks to address these risks by implementing key interventions in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors, particularly targeting vulnerable communities.
The project will be rolled out over three-and-a-half years in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. Key components include community-based early warning systems, water recharge systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure. The initiative also includes capacity-building programs to ensure women and youth are actively involved in disaster management and policy development.
Aligned with national strategies such as Pakistan’s National Adaptation Plan and the Living Indus Initiative, SAFER aims to protect and restore natural ecosystems, ensuring long-term sustainability. “This project aligns perfectly with the government’s priority to tackle climate challenges and build resilience,” said Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination
