GILGIT: The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has said it is assessing needs, supporting affected families, and coordinating relief and recovery operations with local authorities following the recent flood devastations in Pakistan.

According to a statement, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), AKDN’s lead response agency for natural disasters, has been spearheading community-based disaster management and response for over two decades.

It has trained more than 36,000 community volunteers as first responders — half of whom are women — grouped into over 170 Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs).

“At the onset of the flooding, AKAH rapidly mobilised emergency operation centres in Chitral, Gilgit, Karachi and Islamabad. They have been continuously assessing the situation, providing weather alerts, and keeping residents informed. The CERTs have evacuated more than 3,000 people in the vulnerable areas and are providing supplies such as food and tents, as well as organising safe shelter in schools, community buildings and with host families,” the statement said.

A Total of 100 families (800 individuals) have been supported with one month of food and non-food items. 19 stockpiles have been useful in providing emergency assistance in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Nine Disaster Assessment Response Teams have been deployed across the northern part of Pakistan to conduct a rapid assessment. AKAH is working in close coordination with the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authourity, District Disaster Management Authourity, Chitral and Provincial Disaster Management Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Community volunteers of AKAH continue repair works in restoring drinking water supply lines, irrigation channels, roads and agricultural land under extreme challenging conditions. Village Emergency Response Teams (VERT) have been on the frontlines in Diamer, rescuing residents and stranded tourists, delivering emergency supplies and evacuating the injured to hospitals.

In addition to distributing tents and hygiene kits to affected families, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) supported communities in Ghizer with the emergency repair of roads and irrigation channels, and in Baltistan, provided pipes to restore drinking and irrigation water.

“Working closely with government authorities, AKRSP teams continue to assess damage and prioritise rehabilitation projects to help communities recover.”

Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan teams are on the ground 24/7 in Gilgit-Baltistan and District Chitral, ensuring healthcare reaches flood affected communities.

In Punial, Ishkomen, a three-day medical camp was organised, treating over 380 patients, offering counselling and awareness on hygiene and safe water. Field teams remain on high alert, with medicines, staff and facilities to respond to any emergency and health teams are visiting homes in the vulnerable areas to ensure safe deliveries.

The chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan earlier sent an official letter to His Highness the Aga Khan and sought assistance in the wake of the recent floods.

Published in Dawn, August 22th, 2025