GILGIT: Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) announced support for flood-affected people in Gilgit-Baltistan at the request of its chief minister.

According to a statement, the GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan had made the request during a meeting with the President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan Nizar Mewawalla, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Serena Hotels, Mr Aziz Boolani, and the CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan Mr Akhtar Iqbal in Islamabad.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM appreciated the AKDN’s longstanding contribution in sectors such as education, healthcare, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience and civil society engagement.

Earlier, the chief minister, through a letter, sought assistance from Prince Rahim Aga Khan in the wake of the recent floods that caused widespread devastation across Gilgit-Baltistan.

President of Ismaili Council for Pakistan Mr Mewawalla expressed his deep sympathies with the families in distress and assured of the cooperation and support that AKDN agencies can provide to areas affected by floods and in building the resilience of the communities.

AKDN agreed to provide support in the early recovery, rehabilitation and green retrofitting of seven schools in Gilgit-Baltistan, solarising and repairing solar facilities in flood-affected government health facilities, rehabilitating drinking water supply schemes, protective infrastructure and establishing eight community emergency response teams in flood-prone areas.

Delivery of portable medical equipment and supplies to health providers will be ensured, and mobile health care units will be established to provide quality care at health facilities in the affected areas.

The early identification and management of 3,000 undernourished children and women in inundated areas of GB will be conducted shortly as well.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2025