Gilani seeks stronger early warning, resilience systems

Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has called for widening the scope of climate resilience initiatives in Pakistan to strengthen early warning systems, enhance community resilience, and mitigate risks for vulnerable populations.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Coco Ushiyama, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP) for Pakistan, in Islamabad.

Gilani underlined the urgent need for international assistance in the wake of widespread devastation caused by climate-induced disasters, particularly highlighting the destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and worsening poverty in South Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed that these regions require sustained global support to ensure both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for affected communities.

Calling for real-time assistance from humanitarian organizations, the acting president emphasized that such support is vital to protect livelihoods and secure the future of vulnerable groups.

Gilani further underscored the importance of close collaboration between the WFP and Pakistan’s Parliament, noting that parliamentary engagement ensures that interventions remain targeted and effective at the grassroots level. He also commended WFP’s longstanding contribution to Pakistan’s fight against hunger and malnutrition, particularly its relief operations in flood-hit areas of South Punjab and other regions.

Read: PM Shehbaz orders climate resilience action plan

During the meeting, WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development and humanitarian priorities. She said the WFP is eager to work in close partnership with the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to address childhood stunting and malnutrition.

Ushiyama also expressed keen interest in engaging with Senate standing committees on health and national food security, with a view to strengthening cooperation in the health and food security sectors.

Earlier in September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to begin immediate preparations for the 2026 monsoon season and present a comprehensive climate resilience action plan that must address Pakistan's growing vulnerability to climate change, including increasingly intense rainfall and flooding.

The prime minister chaired a high-level review meeting here to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding, as well as the ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts underway across the country, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.

Recent floods in Pakistan have wreaked havoc, affecting over 4.7 million people as hundreds of villages were submerged and thousands forced from their homes. Widespread displacement has triggered a massive humanitarian challenge, while relief operations continue across the country to support the affected communities.