As rising temperatures threaten vast regions of Pakistan, the United Nations has unveiled a detailed action strategy to counter the looming threat of heatwaves, especially in areas with limited infrastructure to handle extreme weather conditions.
The initiative, introduced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), outlines a multi-tiered plan focused on 38 vulnerable districts. Developed in collaboration with provincial disaster management bodies and relief organizations, the strategy prioritizes early intervention and community readiness.
In its initial rollout, the UN intends to assist nearly 776,000 individuals in 12 critically exposed districts spanning Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan. A sum exceeding $800,000 has been pre-approved to fund fuel and operational support for the preparedness campaign during 2025.
This heatwave readiness framework is one element of a broader interagency emergency program, with OCHA facilitating coordinated planning, response mapping, and logistical support.
Ranked fifth on the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan’s susceptibility to climate-related hazards remains alarmingly high. Heatwaves — growing more frequent and intense — have emerged as a major health and environmental concern.
Under UN-defined standards, when temperatures exceed typical norms by 3–5°C for several days in a row, the region is classified as experiencing a mild to moderate heatwave. Such conditions can severely compromise both physical and mental health, occasionally resulting in fatalities or mass hospitalizations.
Environmental variables — including humidity, population density, and air pressure — amplify these effects. Urban hubs such as Karachi, Sukkur, and Hyderabad, as well as areas like Sohbatpur and Naseerabad in Balochistan, frequently record even higher temperatures than adjacent rural regions, placing them at greater risk.
The absence of proper cooling infrastructure, hydration points, and reliable early warning systems has worsened the threat. According to OCHA, Karachi remains a major hotspot for concern due to its history of deadly heatwaves and insufficient protection mechanisms.
Covering communities across all four provinces, the UN’s contingency plan aims to reduce the impact of heat stress on more than 36 million citizens. Sindh stands out as the most at-risk province, with Punjab, KP, and Balochistan also under threat.
Despite repeated tragedies — including the devastating 2015 heatwave in Karachi that claimed over 1,200 lives — local authorities have struggled to implement consistent heatwave safeguards. The UN has recommended critical steps such as subsidized cooling solutions, widespread access to drinking water, and the construction of heat-relief shelters in densely populated zones.
Public education remains a core component of the strategy, with an emphasis on helping people recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses and understand preventive measures — especially as global warming continues to escalate temperature extremes.
The plan will activate once specific temperature thresholds are met, triggering a joint response from the UN, government agencies, and ground-level partners. Officials are hopeful that this approach will not only reduce immediate harm but also contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s long-term climate resilience.
