Pakistan NGO Receives International Award for Flood Resistant Housing

The Heritage Foundation of Pakistan (HFP) has been awarded a Bronze World Habitat Award, in partnership with UN Habitat, for its innovative project that helps communities in Sindh, Pakistan to build climate-resilient homes and achieve economic self-sufficiency. 

The project addresses the urgent need to move away from foreign aid and to create sustainable housing solutions in a region highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly devastating floods. 

HFP’s approach is to train residents in the construction of affordable, flood-resistant homes using locally sourced bamboo and traditional building techniques, enhanced for greater resilience. The results are not only safer homes but also a community with valuable skills and new economic opportunities. 

By promoting local entrepreneurship and supporting the establishment of Mothers’ Committees to manage funds, HFP empowers women to take ownership of their recovery and development. The impact of the project travels beyond the initial community, as residents actively share their expertise and inspire others to adopt these resilient building techniques. 

The project addresses critical basic needs such as sanitation, water access, food security, and disaster mitigation. By fostering self-reliance and sustainable practices, HFP helps communities move away from dependence on international aid and build a more secure future. 

David Ireland, CEO of World Habitat, said: “The Heritage Foundation of Pakistan has yet again demonstrated the effectiveness of its community-led approach in the face of climate adversity. The bamboo structure and barefoot entrepreneur methods are leading models for sustainable recovery, adaptation and development that can inspire communities around the world.”