Sindh recognised as global model for climate-resilient housing at Asia-Pacific Forum

KARACHI (Feb 12): Sindh has been spotlighted as a global model for climate-resilient and people-centred recovery as the provincial government hosted the three-day Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) 2026, drawing regional and international leaders, policymakers, and humanitarian experts.

Sindh cabinet members, Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Hyder Shah, senior government officials, diplomats from various countries, and representatives of international financial institutions, donor agencies, academia, civil society, and the private sector attended the largest regional gathering dedicated to housing and settlements at a local hotel on Thursday.

First Lady of Pakistan Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari delivering her presidential address said that safe shelter is not merely a physical structure but the foundation of dignity, security, and opportunity, in contrast, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that his government has demonstrated that large-scale recovery, social inclusion, and climate resilience can go hand in hand, citing the province’s post-flood housing programme as a global model.

“Resilience is built with people, not for people. When communities are trusted and empowered, recovery becomes faster, stronger, and sustainable,” the CM remarked.

“Shelter is far more than a roof over one’s head. It is where families recover from loss, children feel secure enough to dream, and communities find the strength to move forward together,” the First Lady said, stressing that climate-resilient and inclusive housing must be treated as a basic human right, especially in climate-vulnerable regions.

Bibi Aseefa highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and inequality across the Asia-Pacific region. She said that the absence of secure housing results not only in material hardship but also in the loss of dignity and stability, particularly for women and children. Emphasising women-centred development, she noted that when women are placed at the heart of shelter initiatives, the benefits extend to entire communities.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah highlighted the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme, launched after the devastating 2022 monsoon floods, which submerged nearly 70 per cent of the province and damaged over 2.1 million houses. He said the initiative is among the largest post-disaster housing reconstruction programmes in the world, aimed at building more than 2.1 million climate-resilient homes for flood-affected families.

The CM pointed out that homes and land titles under the programme are being issued in women’s names, promoting ownership, dignity, and financial inclusion. He also noted that the programme has received international recognition, including a recent visit by World Bank President Ajay Banga to SPHF houses in Larkana.

“Everywhere we went, the affected families made only one demand - ‘give us our homes back’,” the Chief Minister said, adding that never before in Sindh’s history had the provincial government undertaken the task of rebuilding houses for flood victims on such a scale.

CM Murad Ali Shah shared that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had firmly stated that the people must be given houses. This commitment initially appeared extremely challenging due to financial constraints. “When we began working on the plan, it seemed impossible. The cost was beyond our entire provincial budget,” he said.

“Within a week, the World Bank became the first international institution to pledge support,” the CM said, adding that a global donors’ conference held under Chairman Bilawal’s leadership later secured assistance from multiple international partners.

The Chief Minister informed the forum that over 700,000 houses have already been built, with construction continuing at scale. “This achievement is possible solely because of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s vision,” he said, while noting that the PPP Chairman could not attend the forum as he was in Munich on an international engagement.

Earlier, welcoming delegates, Chief Secretary Sindh Syed Asif Hyder Shah said he was honoured to receive participants on Sindh’s soil. He acknowledged the serious challenges posed by climate change in the region and expressed hope that the three-day forum would help devise a comprehensive roadmap to address them. He added that field visits would also be conducted on the final day to give participants firsthand insight into recovery efforts.

CEO SPHF Khalid Shaikh informed the forum that more than 1.5 million houses are currently under construction, around 750,000 have been completed, and 1.5 million bank accounts have been opened for beneficiaries, most of them women.

The conference will continue with technical sessions and policy dialogues focused on translating commitments into action, with the shared goal of ensuring safe, resilient, and dignified housing for all across the Asia-Pacific region.

Addressing the Forum 2026, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar commended Sindh’s efforts in providing shelter to millions of displaced families. She said the SPHF programme had helped millions of homeless people rebuild their lives and termed the forum an important opportunity for global dialogue on shelter and resilience.

She highlighted that, with the support of the Sindh government, millions of people opened bank accounts for the first time, while land ownership rights were granted to millions, significantly strengthening financial inclusion and dignity among flood-affected communities.

Deputy Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Asad Aleem reaffirmed ADB’s partnership in the SPHF programme and emphasised that housing without adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities was not sustainable. He announced that ADB would continue extending support to Sindh over the next three years.

The Director of the Regional Hub of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Mr Saleh Jlassi, shared his views via video link, while the Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Mr Jeroen Willems, referred to the country as one of the most affected by climate change, with Sindh bearing the brunt of recent disasters. The EU representative praised Sindh’s rehabilitation programme as well-planned and effective. He announced that the European Investment Bank would also join the world’s largest housing programme in Sindh.

Mr Mio Sato, Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Pakistan, said climate change posed a major challenge for the region. He noted that IOM had actively partnered in rehabilitation efforts following the 2022 floods. He added that IOM was working closely with the Sindh Government and SPHF to strengthen recovery and resilience.

Senior Director of Programmes, Asia-Pacific, Habitat for Humanity, Mia Morena, said the region faced enormous challenges, with millions of people in need of housing. Sharing international experience, she noted that 800,000 climate-resilient houses were built in Nepal, while similar housing support had been provided to disaster-affected communities in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Sean Callahan, President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), said CRS was proud to support flood-affected people in Sindh. He lauded the role of the Sindh Government and SPHF in enabling recovery. “Without housing, health, education and livelihoods cannot be sustained,” he said, stressing the need for long-term planning to help communities withstand future shocks. He described Sindh Housing initiatives and NDMA-linked efforts as beacons of hope.

During the forum, a documentary showcasing remarkable stories of flood survivors’ recovery in Sindh was also screened, highlighting the scale of devastation caused by the 2022 floods and the unprecedented reconstruction effort that followed.