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Islamabad, 21 September 2022 —  The ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ), Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF), as well as the European Union (EU) have launched a project to provide essential primary healthcare and nutrition services along with water, sanitation, and hygiene activities through targeted health facilities in northwest Pakistan. Aimed at addressing the most urgent needs of at-risk groups, such as women, girls, and young children, the EU has supported the ̽����ѡ and partners with a total contribution of almost 1,100,000 euros.

Pakistan remains one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Both natural and man-made disasters have plagued the country for over a decade which has caused many Pakistanis to lose their homes and struggle to meet their basic needs for food, water, and shelter. Parts of the critical health infrastructure have been either lacking or destroyed in regions particularly affected by conflict and instability. Coupled with severe flooding in the summer of 2022, which has left more than 33 million people in need, Pakistan is facing an unprecedented emergency which has had catastrophic effects on its infrastructure, economy and healthcare system.

The ̽����ѡ first began working in Pakistan in 1980, mainly providing emergency relief, healthcare, education, job training, and other essential services in affected communities. Nowadays, the ̽����ѡ works in close collaboration with the government and has expanded its support to communities in all of Pakistan’s eight provinces and territories.

Through funding from the EU, the ̽����ѡ and its partners have provided healthcare consultations and treatment with a particular focus on reproductive and infant health, as well as conducting hygiene and health awareness sessions for women of reproductive age, caregivers, and health staff. Additionally, a total of eight health facilities in the region were renovated and rehabilitated, including the establishment of safe spaces for women and children. Out of an estimated 104,000 individuals reached through these services, almost 68,000 are women and girls and almost 50,000 are newborns, children, and adolescents.

Shabnam Baloch, Country Director of ̽����ѡ Pakistan, said:

“By providing the most-affected — that is women and children — with the necessary information to independently protect themselves from numerous health hazards, and critical healthcare respectively, this program has supported them in regaining a sense of control and security over their health, even in times of crisis. Through funding from the EU, the ̽����ѡ has been able to alleviate this additional burden and cost of having to seek out quality healthcare facilities and services — especially as the aftershocks of the floods continue to adversely impact communities most in need.”