Pakistan is a climate crisis hotspot, with frequent devastating floods. The 2022 floods submerged a third of the country, displacing millions and causing catastrophic damage. Sindh, an already impoverished region, was hit hardest.
Through this project, the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan (HFP) helps communities to become more resilient. By focusing on training and empowering residents, HFP helps to build affordable, flood-resistant one room homes using bamboo and local materials.
The project involves Mothers’ Committees to manage funds and Barefoot Entrepreneurs to provide skills and support. Beyond housing, the project addresses sanitation, water access, food security, and disaster mitigation.
The HFP’s model used in this project and others, has multiple benefits. It creates jobs, empowers women, and strengthens community bonds. By building resilient homes and promoting sustainable practices, the project helps communities to shift away from international aid, to become self-sufficient and better prepared for future disasters.
The project’s success is demonstrated by its organic expansion to new areas and the increasing interest from other countries. HFP’s approach is highly transferable and important for addressing the challenges of climate change and poverty across the globe.
By shifting the focus from aid dependency to community-led solutions, HFP has created a sustainable and impactful model for disaster recovery and development.
