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ISLAMABAD: In response to the recent devastation caused by heavy rains and flash floods in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and other vulnerable mountain communities, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), through its agencies, is on the ground — assessing needs, supporting affected families, and coordinating relief and recovery operations with local authorities.

The 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, keeping residents informed. The Community Emergency Response Teams have evacuated more than 3000 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. 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 District Chitral of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Nine Disaster Assessment Response Teams have been deployed across the northern part of Pakistan to conduct 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, 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 prioritize rehabilitation projects to help communities recover.

Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan teams are on 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 for ensuring safe deliveries.

The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan earlier presented an official letter to His Highness the Aga Khan and sought assistance in the wake of the recent floods. AKDN agreed to provide support in the early recovery, rehabilitation and green retrofitting of schools in Gilgit-Baltistan, solarizing and repairing solar facilities in flood affected Government health facilities, rehabilitating drinking water supply schemes, protective infrastructure and establishing Community Emergency Response Teams in flood affected areas. Delivery of portable medical equipment and supplies to health providers will be ensured and 16,500 mobile health care units will be established to provide quality care at health facilities in the affected areas. The early identification and management of 3000 undernourished children and women in flood affected areas of GB will be conducted shortly as well.  A total of 490 projects for land leveling and terracing to reclaim agricultural lands; distribution of livestock inputs to 435 vulnerable farmers; 98 micro grants to women and men will be ensured for the affected communities.

Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and its agencies have a long-term presence in, and commitment to, Pakistan, working in close collaboration with communities, government, and other partners to improve the quality of life for the most marginalised populations; and working to provide immediate humanitarian relief, restore basic infrastructure and livelihoods and build long-term resilience to future disasters.

LAHORE, Aug 19 (APP): The Lahore Green Corridor Project jointly launched by the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways will not only help combat smog and other environmental challenges but also improve Lahore’s urban landscape.

The Rs 2.53 billion project is designed to convert nearly 700 kanals of land into lush greenbelts, recreational zones, and cultural spaces, marking the first such initiative along a railway track in South Asia, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.

The project would stretch along 40 kilometers of railway land from Shahdara in the north to Raiwind in the south of the city and was  expected to be completed within a year.

Pakistan Railways Director Babar Raza , told Wealth Pakistan that Pakistan Railways would provide the land for the purpose, while the Punjab government would bear the cost of developing the green corridor. He said this was the first project of its kind in South Asia. He said if successful, the Pakistan Railways would consider offering land for similar projects in other cities like Karachi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Quetta and Multan.

The proposed corridor would feature jogging tracks, walkways, gazebos, open gyms, badminton and volleyball courts, children’s play areas, benches, dustbins, food carts, tuck shops and water bodies.

Dedicated cycle tracks would be constructed, while disused passenger coaches would be creatively transformed into cafés and digital libraries.

The corridor would be completed in four phases: Shahdara to Lahore Railway Station, Railway Station to Walton, Walton to Kot Lakhpat and Kot Lakhpat to Raiwind. Each stretch will include greenbelts and recreational facilities for the public.

Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) spokesperson Nabeel Ali told Wealth Pakistan that PHA would execute the scheme after receiving formal approval from the Punjab government. He said the PHA would be responsible for developing 33 green belts and landscaping. He said work would commence soon after getting the Punjab government’s go-ahead.

He said that the Authority would create an ambiance within the corridor that would be attractive and pleasant for passengers and visitors.

The Punjab Housing Department had already submitted the project’s PC-1 to the Planning and Development Department for formal approval. The required funding would be provided through a supplementary grant from the chief minister.

ISLAMABAD, August 19: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has said that the Ministry of National Health Services is working in close coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the provincial governments to ensure uninterrupted medical assistance to flood-affected regions across the country.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the health ministry had initiated relief operations without waiting for formal requests, and all medical requirements communicated by provincial governments were promptly met. “We provided 100 percent of the required medicines to the affected areas and ensured timely dispatch of medical supplies,” he stressed.

The minister highlighted that on receiving a request from Shangla district, an 18-member medical team — comprising 12 doctors from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and eight from Polyclinic Hospital — was immediately dispatched to provide on-ground healthcare services to displaced communities.

He added that alongside medicines, large quantities of mosquito nets were also sent to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases in flood-hit areas. “Preventive measures are as crucial as curative ones, and we are ensuring both,” he remarked.

According to the minister, the federal health ministry has already delivered 3,410 kilograms of medicines to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 350 kilograms to Gilgit-Baltistan. Vaccines to counter waterborne diseases caused by stagnant floodwaters have also been provided.

Mustafa Kamal underlined that all federal health institutions were on high alert and operating under strict monitoring mechanisms. “Our teams are working round-the-clock, and the entire system is under constant surveillance to respond to any emerging medical need. The affected citizens are our brothers, and we stand with them at every step,” he said.

He further informed that a Command and Control Room had been established at the National Institute of Health (NIH) to monitor the evolving situation 24/7. “These measures are being undertaken under the leadership and directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he noted.

Concluding his remarks, the health minister prayed for the nation’s swift recovery from the calamity. “May Allah Almighty grant our people relief and protect the country from such disasters,” he said.