Foreign NGOs receive $1.2b in 5 years

US, UN lead funding for flood relief, education, and women's empowerment

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign NGOs operating in Pakistan received a staggering $1.2 billion in foreign funding over the past five years, according to official documents obtained by The Express Tribune.

The detailed breakdown of these funds shows that the highest contributions came from the United States, which provided $265.7 million, followed by the United Kingdom with $205.8 million.

The European Union contributed $115.4 million, while the United Nations topped the list with $890.6 million. Other major donors included Germany ($803 million), Norway ($100.9 million), Canada ($867 million), and private donors, who contributed $117.6 million.

The report highlights that under the 2022 NPO policy, a significant portion of these funds was allocated to various causes, including more than $440 million for flood relief activities, over $71.8 million for infrastructure projects, and $94.9 million for climate change initiatives across 41 approved cases.

The agriculture sector saw 13 approved cases, with more than $20 million allocated, while education projects received over $142.3 million in funding.

In addition, women's empowerment received a notable $215.6 million, social welfare projects were granted over $150 million, and human rights initiatives received more than $190 million in foreign funding.

During the 2020-2021 period alone, a total of 821 applications were received, reflecting the increasing demand for foreign assistance.

In 2020-2021, a total of $200 million was disbursed for various projects, including $58.7 million for 241 healthcare cases, $71.8 million for 295 social welfare cases, and $2.2 million for nine agriculture-related cases.

Infrastructure projects received $2.6 million for 10 cases, while climate change projects received $7.2 million for 29 cases. Education projects saw $20.8 million allocated to 85 cases, while women's empowerment was granted $11.4 million for 47 cases.

Human rights initiatives received $15.4 million across 63 cases, and minority rights projects received $10.2 million across 42 cases.

In terms of foreign contributions, the US donated $53.2 million in 2020-2021, the UK contributed $41.5 million, and the EU provided $22.3 million.

The United Nations contributed $17.8 million, Germany donated $16.6 million, Norway $2.2 million, Switzerland $5.6 million, and Canada $17.7 million. Individual charitable donations amounted to $23.5 million.

In total, foreign funding for 1,406 cases between 2020-2021 reached $997.9 million, with over $442.2 million spent on 15 infrastructure-related cases.

The report underscores the critical role of foreign assistance in supporting a wide range of development initiatives across Pakistan.