Gilani Calls for Broadening Scope of Climate Resilience Projects in Pakistan

Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for broadening the scope of climate resilience projects in Pakistan. He was speaking with Coco Ushiyama, the Representative and Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP) for Pakistan, in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Acting President emphasized the importance of such projects to enhance early warning systems, strengthen resilience, and mitigate risks faced by vulnerable communities. He pointed out the urgent need for international support due to the destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and increasing poverty, particularly in South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Gilani appealed for real-time assistance from global humanitarian organizations to ensure both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for affected communities. He stressed the significance of collaboration between the World Food Program and the Pakistani Parliament to ensure targeted interventions for the most vulnerable populations at the grassroots level.

Acknowledging WFP’s support, Gilani expressed gratitude for its ongoing efforts in combating hunger and malnutrition in Pakistan, especially in flood-affected areas such as South Punjab. The WFP Country Director, Coco Ushiyama, shared the organization’s enthusiasm to collaborate closely with the Benazir Income Support Program to tackle stunting and malnutrition among children.

Ushiyama also conveyed her interest in working with Senate standing committees focused on health and national food security to improve outcomes in the health and food security sectors.