France announces €500,000 for Acted’s flood recovery initiative in KP, supporting resilience in Swat and Buner

Celina Ali

Islamabad: France has announced a grant of €500,000 to support flood-hit populations in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reaffirming its solidarity with vulnerable communities confronting the devastating impacts of climate-induced disasters.

The funding will enable international relief agency Acted to implement a comprehensive seven-month recovery project in Swat and Buner districts, restoring livelihoods, education, shelter, and essential services for approximately 3,000 households – nearly 21,000 individuals.

The initiative, titled “Community-Led Recovery for Flood-Affected Populations in Buner and Swat,” is being carried out in partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS).

The floods of August 2025 destroyed homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure, leaving thousands dependent on aid. Acted’s project seeks to restore dignity through community-led rehabilitation efforts, creating short-term, gender-responsive employment to clear debris, repair irrigation channels, and rebuild damaged infrastructure.

In addition, shelters will be repaired and winterization kits distributed to vulnerable families, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, helping them withstand the approaching harsh winter months.

“These interventions aim not only to reduce economic vulnerability but also to strengthen dignity, resilience, and community ownership in the recovery process,” remarked Sarfraz Laldin, Country Director of Acted Pakistan.

Recognizing that disasters often compound public health risks, the project will rehabilitate water supply schemes, pumping stations, and latrines, while also carrying out hygiene awareness campaigns and fumigation drives to prevent disease outbreaks. To ensure sustainability, WASH Management Committees will be established to build local capacity and ownership.

Children’s education, disrupted by the disaster, will also be protected. Acted will set up temporary learning centres, train teachers in Education in Emergencies, and provide school supplies to ensure continued learning. Meanwhile, psychosocial support sessions for children, women, and other vulnerable groups will help affected communities recover from the emotional trauma caused by the floods.

French Ambassador Nicolas Galey emphasized that the grant reflects France’s unwavering commitment to supporting Pakistan in times of crisis.

“In the tragic circumstances many parts of Pakistan have been going through, we are proud to support Acted with a grant of €500,000,” he said. Recalling France’s prompt assistance during the historic 2022 floods, Galey underlined that the recurrence of climate disasters highlights Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to global warming.

“France’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in the fight against climate change remains constant — whether through multilateral action or direct support to communities,” the envoy stressed.

Beyond immediate relief, the Acted initiative is designed to foster long-term resilience, empowering communities to withstand future shocks. With its integrated focus on livelihoods, safe housing, WASH, education, and psychosocial support, the project aims to serve as a model for community-driven recovery in Pakistan’s disaster-prone regions.

By joining hands with France, Acted and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seek to ensure that the people of Swat and Buner do not merely survive the aftermath of the floods but emerge stronger, better prepared, and with renewed hope for the future.