UK Pledges £1.33 Million to Boost Pakistan’s Monsoon Relief Efforts

By Syed Talat Abbas Shah

The United Kingdom has announced a humanitarian package worth £1.33 million to support Pakistan’s response to widespread flooding and landslides caused by the 2025 monsoon season. The aid is expected to reach more than 223,000 people in seven heavily impacted districts across Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The funding will be directed toward immediate relief and recovery measures, including distribution of food rations, search and rescue operations, mobile medical services, rehabilitation of drinking water supplies, restoration of irrigation channels, and support for livelihoods.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG, OBE, highlighted the UK’s commitment to helping vulnerable communities:
“Through UK-funded programmes, vital assistance is reaching families affected by floods and landslides. Working closely with national and provincial authorities, we are determined to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity for disaster response and long-term resilience.”
As part of the initiative, 2,400 community volunteers have been trained in search and rescue operations. In Charsadda, 25 volunteers have already joined Rescue 1122 teams in Buner, assisting with efforts to locate missing persons and provide life-saving support.
Meanwhile, mobile medical camps are being deployed in areas where health facilities have been destroyed, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential care. Displaced families are also receiving non-food items, emergency shelter materials, and dignity kits for women. Humanitarian coordination is being supported by UN OCHA field teams in Swat and Buner to ensure aid delivery is swift and efficient.
In addition, the UK’s Subnational Governance Programme implemented with UNDP is helping the Sindh government enhance its disaster preparedness. The initiative has led to the establishment of Disaster Risk Reduction Wings at provincial and district levels, alongside the development of a centralised digital dashboard that consolidates information on safe shelters, medical stocks, and emergency equipment to enable faster response.
The announcement underscores the UK’s ongoing partnership with Pakistan in strengthening resilience against climate-induced disasters.