Climate Resilient Flood Recovery Demands Grants, Not Loans

English , Green Pakistan - گرین پاکستان , Snippets , / Monday, November 3rd, 2025

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PUBLIC FORUM 2025 PROCEEDINGS

rki.news |Multan | November 3, 2025
The MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, in collaboration with the Doaba Foundation, Grow Green Network, Indus Consortium, and several civil society organizations, hosted Public Forum 2025 at the University’s Syndicate Hall under the theme “Climate Resilient Flood Recovery Demands Grants, Not Loans.”
The forum emphasized that the devastating floods across southern Punjab, especially in Jalalpur Peerwala and Alipur, exposed the urgent need for grant-based climate recovery mechanisms instead of loan-dependent aid. Participants called for an inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven approach to rebuilding livelihoods, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Prof. Dr. Asif Ali, Vice Chancellor of MNS University of Agriculture, urged for a centralized climate action plan focusing on heatwave and smog mitigation, efficient water management, and practical implementation of proposed recovery strategies. He said that universities must serve as research and policy hubs to guide the government and civil society toward long-term climate resilience.
Opening the discussion, Mr. Jawaid Iqbal, Manager Programs at Doaba Foundation, highlighted two key objectives: promoting grants rather than loans for flood recovery, and preparing a joint mission report on community hardships, agricultural losses, and recovery priorities to present at global policy forums.
Prof. Dr. Hammad Nadeem Tahir underscored the importance of an inclusive approach to post-disaster management, ensuring that local voices shape the recovery framework. Prof. Dr. Abdul Ghaffar shared pre- and post-flood analyses, noting urgent needs such as ridge sowing, soil testing, livestock feed, and reconstruction of irrigation channels. He proposed forming dedicated technical teams for better coordination and early warning systems.
Dr. Khurram Mubeen presented the joint post-flood survey report, comparing district-level damages and assessing agricultural and livestock losses, while Mr. Zulkifl Ashraf of Doaba Foundation discussed strategies for emergency input support, infrastructure rehabilitation, and district-specific recovery plans.
University faculty, including Dr. Nabeel Ahmad Ikram, shared ongoing initiatives such as distributing free kitchen gardening kits to flood-hit families to strengthen household food security. Dr. Shahzad Ali from the Livestock Department and Dr. Mansoor Ahmad from the Agriculture Department called for closer public-private partnerships to supply seeds, restore crops, and ensure clean water access.
Representatives from NGOs and community organizations, including Ms. Maira, Ms. Sumaira, and Ms. Rizwana, highlighted the specific challenges faced by women, youth, and persons with disabilities during and after the floods. They stressed that true recovery requires empowerment, inclusion, and direct grant support to rebuild livelihoods.
The session also emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral coordination among government institutions, academia, private sector, and non-profits to design resilient rural development models. Speakers agreed that recovery policies must integrate climate adaptation, social protection, and sustainable agriculture to minimize future risks.
The forum concluded with a collective resolution demanding “Grants, Not Loans for Flood Recovery.” Participants agreed to develop a People’s Charter for Climate Justice, uniting academia, civil society, and government to advocate for equitable, climate-resilient recovery across Pakistan’s flood-affected regions.
The event ended with a reaffirmation of commitment by all partner organizations to continue research, community engagement, and advocacy for climate justice, ensuring that the voices of flood-affected communities remain central to Pakistan’s sustainable development agenda.