Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), with financial backing from the German development agency GIZ, launched a new project in Charsadda district called “Climate Adaptation and Risk Financing.” This initiative aims to educate both men and women about adapting to climate change and build stronger social and financial communities in areas prone to disasters.
SRSP injected a special “climate-smart fund” into eight of their village banks in Charsadda. These banks, run by women for the past 14 years, will use the fund to expand their services and support community efforts to adapt to climate change. Additionally, a part of the fund is reserved for emergencies in case of future disasters.
The project goes beyond financial aid. It will also train women in promoting various income-generating activities, such as growing strawberries, producing seedlings, and participating in a textile industry cluster.
The project launch ceremony was well-attended. Important figures included the Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department, the Deputy Head of Development Cooperation from the German Embassy, GIZ representatives, CEOs from the Pakistan Microfinance Network, the CEO SRSP, the COO of SRSP, and local women community members. During the event, climate-smart fund checks were distributed to the women-run village banks.
