ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) members reached out to 19.9 million people to initiate human uplift projects worth Rs25 billion in 2021.

PHF is a cluster of international NGOs (INGOs) operating in Pakistan and the speakers at the launch of annual report of the forum on Tuesday called for coordinated and joint efforts by the government and civil society to improve human well being, tackle natural disasters as well as emergencies.

PHF’s Country Coordinator Syed Shahid Kazmi informed the audience that 275 development and humanitarian projects were completed in 2021 with a total funding of Rs25 billion by reaching out to 19.9 million people in Pakistan.

He said that among these projects, 131 were the humanitarian and 144 were the development projects.

“The PHF member organisations brought a significant change in the area of health, education, women economic development, nutrition, food security, disaster management, shelter/NFI and many other areas, through these projects,” Mr Kazmi said.

He said the INGOs are investing resources in Pakistan and reaching out to communities in hard-to-reach areas and changing their lives.

“People must be aware that this sector was fully committed to building the capacity of local organisations and providing assistance to the people,” he said.

A five-year strategic plan of PHF was also shared at the event which included plans to contribute to development and humanitarian sector of Pakistan.

The five-year plan is a strategic guideline, which helps PHF and its member organisations to take tangible actions and perform a viable role to meet the goals of SDGs and Vision 2025 of Pakistan.

Head of Office Pakistan and Iran, European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) Taheeni Thammannagoda said that organisations were aligning their programme with development and humanitarian needs in the country.

She highlighted ECHO’s role in providing humanitarian relief such as food and nutrition, shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation and education in emergencies.

Federal Directorate of Immunisation Director General Dr Soofia Younas stressed the need for joint efforts at all levels to meet the desired outcomes of development and humanitarian goal in the country.

She highlighted the importance of investing in the overall health with special focus on mother child health and immunisation of children for a healthy and prosperous future of the nation.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2022