ADB approves $500m facility for Pakistan’s disaster resilience

November 11, 2026 (MLN): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved contingent disaster financing facilities worth $500 million for Pakistan to strengthen its ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

The facilities, provided under ADB’s policy-based lending, will offer prompt budgetary support following eligible disaster events, helping the country limit their economic and fiscal consequences.

Pakistan suffers estimated annual average losses of $2bn due to floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. The 2022 floods alone resulted in $14.9bn in direct damage and $15.2bn in economic losses, pushing up to 9.1 million people into poverty.

Poor and rural communities face greater difficulties in recovering from such events, while women and girls remain disproportionately affected.

The financing forms part of the second subprogram of the Climate and Disaster Resilience Enhancement Program, which aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and risk management through policy reforms and the integration of resilience measures into development planning and investment.

The program will also reinforce Pakistan's disaster risk financing framework and improve access to funds following disaster events.

“Investing in preparedness can help protect lives and livelihoods, reduce economic losses, and safeguard the development gains Pakistan has worked hard to achieve,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan.

She added that the program would support the country in implementing critical reforms to ensure a more resilient future, particularly for vulnerable communities that are most severely affected by disasters.

The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s priorities for disaster risk management and ADB’s broader commitment to strengthening resilience across Asia and the Pacific.

Copyright Mettis Link News