GB Chief Minister Seeks WFP Support for Food Security Warehouse

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar on Thursday urged the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to support a food security warehouse in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and provide resources to strengthen the region’s disaster response capacity amid recurring climate-related disasters.

The demand was raised during a meeting with WFP Head and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) Director-General, where they discussed the challenges posed by heavy rainfall, floods and other natural disasters in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The chief minister said the region was home to more than 7,000 glaciers and faced recurring natural disasters due to climate change. Floods frequently affect remote communities, damage houses and infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods and place additional pressure on the provincial government’s limited resources.

He said a substantial portion of the development budget was diverted towards restoring damaged infrastructure and assisting disaster-hit communities, reducing funds available for other development projects.

Despite limited resources, the provincial government was taking measures through the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other relevant departments to rehabilitate affected areas and provide relief to victims, he added.

Azar also highlighted the establishment of the Gilgit-Baltistan Glacier Protection Authority as part of efforts to protect glaciers and address climate-related challenges. He said the provincial government was taking steps to improve food security across the region.

He urged WFP to support the proposed warehouse in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and provide the resources required by PDMA Gilgit-Baltistan to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.

WFP Head and ECHO Director-General said WFP was working in coordination with the provincial government and that efforts were underway to enhance cooperation in disaster management and other sectors.

Provincial Planning Minister Syed Jalal Shah, Home Minister Dilpazir Khan, the provincial planning secretary, the chief minister’s secretary and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.