Since late June, unprecedented monsoon floods have devastated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab in Pakistan. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), nearly 800 people have lost their lives and more than 2 million people are now affected nationwide.
The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been hardest hit: flash floods and landslides have swept away homes and schools, isolating entire villages. In the mountainous districts of Buner and Swat, 371 roads have been destroyed, including 168 in these two areas, complicating the delivery of aid. The education sector has been particularly hard hit, with 414 schools swept away in 38 districts across the province. This widespread destruction has forced thousands of families to flee, many of whom are now living in precarious and dangerous conditions.
In this context, Acted conducted a field assessment in the districts of Swat and Buner. The results revealed that electricity and gas supplies, as well as communications, had been disrupted, seriously affecting people’s access to basic necessities. In both districts, partially damaged houses had become uninhabitable, as floodwaters and mud had invaded living spaces, destroying household goods. The assessment also revealed that access to drinking water was a top priority, with nearly 75% of households in both districts lacking access to safe drinking water.
With 219 projects completed since 2005, Acted is firmly established in Pakistan. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, its emergency teams mobilised to assess the situation and respond to the immense needs caused by this year’s floods.
The results of its field assessment highlight a critical situation: electricity and gas supplies and communication networks have been severely disrupted, complicating people’s access to essential goods. In both districts, many partially damaged houses have become uninhabitable, with floodwaters filling living spaces with mud and water and destroying most household goods. The assessment also revealed that access to safe drinking water is a vital emergency: nearly 75% of households are deprived of any safe water source, exposing families to increased risks of waterborne diseases.
To address these urgent needs, Acted is implementing a comprehensive response focused on four priority areas.
Infrastructure rehabilitation
Acted is organising the clearance of debris and restoration work, while providing temporary employment to 350 affected households, enabling them to earn PKR 25,000 per 15-day cycle.
Access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH)
Acted réhabilite les systèmes d’approvisionnement en eau et forme des comités locaux pour en assurer la maintenance. Une aide financière de 30 000 PKR est attribuée à 350 ménages pour la réhabilitation des latrines domestiques, tandis que des kits d’hygiène sont distribués à 2 450 bénéficiaires. Parallèlement, 5 600 personnes participent à des sessions de promotion de l’hygiène. Dans huit villages, des opérations de fumigation sont mises en œuvre pour réduire les risques sanitaires, et huit écoles bénéficient de la réhabilitation de leurs installations WASH.
Repairing shelters
Acted is providing grants of PKR 100,000 to 350 vulnerable households, particularly those headed by women, elderly people or people with disabilities. Winter kits – including blankets, warm clothing, stoves and fuel – are also being distributed to protect families from the harsh climate.
Education and psychosocial support
Eight schools are benefiting from interventions to offer collective and individual psychological support to children. Eight temporary learning centres have been set up to ensure educational continuity, and school and non-school supplies are being distributed to 400 pupils. In addition, the recruitment of eight auxiliary teachers is helping to reduce educational gaps, strengthen inclusive education and support the most vulnerable pupils.
