A new \u20ac4 million partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CESVI will help rural communities in Sindh prepare for climate-related risks through early action, stronger local planning, and improved livelihood support.
\nThe three-year initiative, funded by the Italian government through AICS, is designed to align with Pakistan\u2019s national and provincial climate priorities.
\nThe FAO and CESVI signed the partnership agreement in Islamabad on Wednesday for the \u201cResilience & Adaptation by Fostering Anticipatory Action (RAFAA)\u201d project. The agreement was signed by FAO Pakistan\u2019s Officer in Charge, James Okoth, and CESVI Regional Manager, Farhan Khan. Dr. Lorenzo Fellin, Environment and Climate Change Expert at AICS Islamabad, also attended the ceremony.
\nThe RAFAA project focuses on strengthening the ability of rural communities in Sindh to respond to climate risks before they escalate. It introduces anticipatory action, disaster risk reduction measures, and support for livelihoods that can withstand changing weather patterns. The project directly supports the National Climate Change Policy, Sindh\u2019s climate policy framework, and water sector goals.<\/p>\n
Under the partnership, FAO will guide the project\u2019s technical direction, align interventions with policy frameworks, and oversee work on the ground. CESVI, which has longstanding experience working with communities in Pakistan, will lead field operations. Its teams will work closely with local organizations and provincial departments to ensure that activities meet community needs and reflect district priorities.
\nBoth organizations bring complementary strengths to the collaboration. FAO contributes its global experience in resilience-building and anticipatory action, while CESVI adds its operational capacity and field presence. Together, they plan to improve multi-hazard early warning systems and support the formation of disaster risk reduction committees at the community level.
\n These committees will help residents plan ahead, share local information, and respond collectively when climate threats arise.
\nThe project also includes support for climate-resilient sources of income, women-focused initiatives, crop insurance solutions, and nature-based approaches to reducing climate risks. These elements are designed to help households manage the economic impact of weather-related pressures such as drought, floods, and unpredictable rainfall.
\nSpeaking at the signing ceremony, representatives from FAO, CESVI, and AICS noted that the project will strengthen coordination among provincial departments, including Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Irrigation, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, and Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA). Through these partnerships, the initiative aims to support 175,000 rural residents directly and reach an estimated 1.5 million people across the province.
\nOfficials highlighted that the initiative marks an important shift toward proactive planning rather than reactive response. By improving early warning systems, expanding water quality monitoring, and providing targeted livelihood support, the project seeks to give communities the tools they need to act before a crisis develops.
\nThey said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community-based resilience in Sindh. With improved coordination, better information systems, and local planning, the RAFAA project aims to help communities reduce the impact of climate shocks and build long-term stability in one of Pakistan\u2019s most climate-sensitive regions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new \u20ac4 million partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CESVI will help rural communities in Sindh prepare for climate-related risks through early action, stronger local planning, and improved livelihood support. The three-year initiative, funded by the Italian government through AICS, is designed to align with Pakistan\u2019s national […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":515440,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-515427","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n