The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $1 million donation to assist Pakistan in tackling the ongoing monsoon floods. The funds will be provided through the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen preparedness and emergency response across the country.
According to the WHO, the support will focus on 33 high-risk and severely affected districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan. The initiative is expected to meet urgent health needs for more than 465,000 people.
The contribution will also help national and provincial authorities ensure the continuity of life-saving health services in flood-affected areas, where access to treatment and medical care has been severely disrupted.
Pakistan is currently grappling with one of the most severe flood emergencies in recent years. Heavy monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding in multiple provinces, submerging villages, destroying homes, and washing away thousands of acres of farmland. Rivers such as the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab have crossed dangerous levels, displacing thousands of families and leaving many communities cut off.
The government has declared emergencies in several districts, while the army has been deployed for rescue and relief efforts. In addition to loss of life, health risks such as waterborne diseases are rising in flood-hit areas, making international assistance critical.