Pakistan: Resilient schools, safer futures

ORGANISATION
KnK Japan Pakistan

LOCATION
Sohbat Pur & Usta Muhammad (Balochistan); Torghar & Batagram (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan

The challenge: schools at risk from floods and earthquakes

A year after floodwaters devastated girls’ schools in Sohbat Pur, Balochistan, classrooms were unusable, disrupting education. Far north in Torghar, damaged school buildings faced structural risks from earthquakes, threatening the safety of students and staff. Without intervention, repeated disasters would have led to school closures, loss of education, and higher repair costs.

The project: retrofitting for disaster resilience

KnK Japan Pakistan implemented localized disaster risk reduction (DRR) finance to retrofit schools and health facilities in four of Pakistan’s most hazard-exposed districts. The project applied:

• Elevated plinths and pile foundations to protect classrooms from historic flood levels
• Seismic reinforcements, including reinforced concrete frames, steel bracing, and ferrocement overlays
• Green infrastructure such as native trees and bio-swales to reduce runoff and heat
• Eco-materials and renewables including fly-ash bricks, eco-cement, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting
• Thermal insulation and waterproofing to prevent heat stress, seepage, and mould

These measures turned vulnerable facilities into safe, reliable community hubs while integrating climate-smart design and sustainability.

Risk assessment and cost-effective planning

Before retrofitting, engineers conducted structural health assessments. This identified which buildings could be strengthened rather than demolished, ensuring funds targeted urgent needs.

The approach rehabilitated buildings at 30–40% of the cost of full reconstruction, freeing resources to protect additional schools and clinics. All upgrades complied with Pakistan’s Building Code 2021 and international safety norms.

Impact: safer schools, empowered communities

• Continuous education: Classrooms in Sohbat Pur now remain operational during floods, while seismic retrofits in Torghar prevent progressive collapse.
• Improved attendance and learning: Girls’ school attendance has risen, dropouts have fallen, and more students progress to higher education.
• Community empowerment: Local women and youth participated in planning, training, and maintenance, building skills and ownership.
• Inclusive facilities: Retrofitted schools feature ramps, accessible washrooms, and privacy-conscious designs, accommodating students with disabilities.
• Health services continuity: Upgraded health facilities remained operational during floods, providing maternal and child care when other clinics closed.

Amina, a 14-year-old student in Usta Muhammad, explained: “I used to miss school every time it flooded. Now we never have to close, even in heavy rains. I feel safe here, and I want to become a doctor for my community.”

Why it matters for disaster risk reduction finance

This initiative demonstrates that investing in resilience upfront saves lives, prevents losses, and maximises the impact of funds. By prioritising retrofitting over full reconstruction, the project reduced costs, avoided repeated damage, and created long-term, sustainable community infrastructure.

As Pakistan observes the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025, these schools and clinics illustrate the power of localised DRR finance to protect communities, empower girls, and strengthen resilience.

This International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, GNDR calls for governments, donors, the private sector and financial institutions to prioritise funding for resilience, not just funding for disasters when they strike.

All photos: Knk Japan Pakistan