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World map illustration with yellow continents on a dark blue background and a location pin in Pakistan.

Where is Pakistan?

Pakistan is a South Asian country bordered by countries including Afghanistan and India. It has the fifth largest population in the world. 

Our impact in 2024

Overview

Pakistan is a nation that is ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse.

Large segments of the population have limited access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Good quality, affordable education and healthcare are also difficult to access.

About a third of the population rely on farming crops for their primary source of income. However, outdated tools and practices and weak enforcement of laws have resulted in limited harvests and made it difficult for people to lift themselves out of poverty.

Unemployment is high and sustainable job opportunities are few and far between. As a result, many individuals find themselves working in the nation’s vast informal economy, where workers face numerous challenges including lack of rights, safety issues, low and irregular wages, exploitation and discrimination.

Pakistan is a water-scarce nation that is severely affected by climate change. Regularly affected by heatwaves, droughts, landslides, avalanches, storms and cyclones, the country is one of the ten most vulnerable to climate change.

Five smiling children sit on a wooden bench in front of a brick wall.

Thanks to support from a Tearfund partner, these village children now walk safely on a rebuilt path once destroyed by floods. Credit: Manoj Genani/Tearfund

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Our work in Pakistan

Tearfund has been working in Pakistan since 2005. Originally, this was in response to natural disasters. Now we continue to support communities through long-term development programmes.

Community development

We set up community development programmes to help people increase their income, access to clean water and adequate sanitation facilities. A lot of our work also focuses on helping communities prepare for, and respond to, future disasters.

Disaster preparedness, response and resilience

Tearfund helps communities become more resilient to difficult times. We train people to prepare for and deal with disasters, sharing effective ways to ensure everyone's safety and wellbeing.

Environment and climate

Tearfund and our partners are helping communities to grow strong and self-sufficient. We do this by teaching people to look after their environment, take practical steps to deal with climate change, and find ways to earn a living.

Women in colorful headscarves attend outdoor class led by woman pointing at chart under a tree.

Tearfund's local partner REEDS teaching women about starting their own kitchen garden and its benefits. Credit: Manoj Genani/Tearfund

Partnerships and funding

Our partners and institutional donors play a vital part in Tearfund’s work around the world. They enable us to reach more people, encourage us to innovate, connect us with other organisations, and allow us to provide both short and long-term support to vulnerable communities.

Pakistan Humanitarian Forum

Tearfund is an active member of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF), a network of 41 international NGOs operating in Pakistan. In 2021, Tearfund served as a member of the PHF's Executive Committee and worked in collaboration with other organisations. Together, we highlighted the contribution of international humanitarian and development agencies in improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of millions of people across Pakistan, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Start Network

Tearfund is currently serving as a member of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the Pakistan Hub of the Start Network. The Pakistan Hub aims to create a proactive, resilient, locally-led and innovative humanitarian network. We do this by addressing emerging challenges and supporting vulnerable communities to prepare for future crises.

Disasters and Emergency Committee

Tearfund worked with the DEC to provide water, sanitation and hygiene support, as well as shelter to 56,000 people affected by extreme floods from 2010 to 2013. The Scottish Government provided additional funding, enabling us to extend the programme and support 59,000 people to rebuild their livelihoods from 2013 to 2017. From 2022 to 2024, Tearfund reached 102,172 individuals directly through relief and rehabilitation efforts in the seven worst affected districts.

Shifting the Power

From 2015 to 2018, Tearfund led the Pakistan component of a multi-country project, funded by the UK Government, called Shifting the Power. This focused on advocating for, and strengthening local humanitarian organisations in Pakistan.

UK Government Aid Match Funding

In 2024, we successfully closed a multi-year project on solid waste management and treatment funded by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office UK Aid Match. The project has improved environmental conditions, enhanced health and generated 76 green job opportunities. The project was implemented in Karachi in collaboration with the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), facilitating efficient waste collection and plastic recycling, furthering our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Loss and Damage Funding

With the support of Loss and Damage funds from the Scottish Government, we launched a transformative project that reached 14,000 individuals in the marginalised community of Rajanpur, Southern Punjab. The initiative supported 619 women-led households and brought crucial support to those who needed it most.

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Contact us

If you have a query for our Pakistan team, please contact [email protected] and we will pass on your message.

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