Pakistan's Flood Recovery Efforts: Funding Falls Short Despite Major Pledges

Pakistan has utilized only 29.4% of the $3.36 billion pledged international aid for flood recovery as of May 2022. The federal government used $258.89 million of its allocated $829.4 million. Provincial disparities emerged, with Punjab showing 100% progress, while Balochistan achieved just 1.7%. UNICEF reports severe damage to water systems, affecting 33 million people.

Pakistan, ravaged by devastating floods in 2022, has managed to utilize a mere 29.4% of the $3.36 billion pledged by international donors for flood recovery projects, as of May 2023. This figure was disclosed during a review meeting on Tuesday, highlighting significant provincial disparities in fund utilization.

The federal government has so far spent $258.89 million out of the allocated $829.4 million, according to the 4th meeting of the International Partners Support Group (IPSG) chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema.

Provincial performance varied markedly, with Punjab achieving 100% financial progress, while Balochistan lagged at 1.7%. The meeting also heard that the 2022 floods, which submerged a third of Pakistan and affected 33 million people, severely damaged water systems, leaving millions reliant on contaminated sources.