The United Nations has announced a $1 million fund to assist citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who are severely impacted by climate change.
The initiative aims to help local populations adapt to the shifting environmental conditions caused by rapid climate changes. Under the project, the funding will focus on providing communities with necessary support and facilities to cope with the challenges posed by climate change.
The announcement came following a high-level meeting at the Economic Affairs Division, where officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were present. During the discussions, it was highlighted that while global climate changes are accelerating, local governments lack the financial resources and capacity to address these issues effectively. As a result, international support, such as the UN’s contribution, is seen as critical to tackling these challenges.
The initiative is not a new project but a financial support mechanism to advance existing efforts. The approach aims to avoid creating new systems and instead strengthen ongoing activities. Additionally, by December, funds from the German aid agency may also be utilized in this initiative.
Concerns were raised during the meeting regarding potential overlap with the Ministry of Climate Change, which may be working on similar initiatives. Officials emphasized the need for coordination to avoid duplicating efforts and wasting resources.
The meeting also noted that no on-ground activities have been initiated thus far, with the first step being a capacity assessment of local governments, followed by training programs. The $1 million funding will be disbursed in two phases. If the initial phase is successful, donors may provide additional funding to expand the program.
The provincial government has been instructed to identify specific regions where these funds can be most effectively utilized to support climate-affected communities.
