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Country analysis

Pakistan


Pakistan faces a complex humanitarian crisis driven by economic instability, climate disasters, and security challenges. Despite some economic stabilization, high inflation and debt burden leave millions struggling with the rising costs of food and essential services. The most affected population groups, including displaced communities and low-income families, face

worsening hardships.

The impact of the 2022 monsoon floods remains severe, with over 1.5 million people still without permanent housing. Many still suffer from food insecurity, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare. The 2023 and 2024 monsoon seasons further hampered recovery, worsening displacement and

straining humanitarian efforts.

Insecurity persists, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces, where militant attacks have escalated. Violence has increased by 69% since 2022, restricting humanitarian access and heightening fears among affected communities.

Food insecurity remains a major concern, with 11 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels between November 2024 to March 2025 as they lack access to sufficient and nutritious food, particularly in flood-affected and conflict-prone areas.

Pakistan was hosting 3.2 million Afghan refugees in October 2024, many of whom faced deportation under the Government’s repatriation plan. Since late 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have been forced to return to Afghanistan, straining their country’s fragile humanitarian system. Many returnees lack access to shelter, employment, and basic services, raising concerns about

their long-term survival.

([UNHCR accessed 13/03/2025]

(https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/operations/islamic-republic-pakistan#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024%2C%20Pakistan,both%20of%20which%20border%20Afghanistan), [IPC 21/02/2025]

(https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-ipc-acute-food-insecurity-snapshot-november-2024-july-2025 ), [ACLED 12/12/2024] (https://acleddata.com/conflict-watchlist-2025/pakistan/ ), [WEF 21/01/2025]

(https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/pakistan-economic-revival-sustainable-and-inclusive-growth/ ), [UNHCR 07/02/2025]

(https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/pakistan-afghanistan-returns-emergency-response-6-february-2025 )

Pakistan faces a complex humanitarian crisis driven by economic instability, climate disasters, and security challenges. Despite some economic stabilization, high inflation and debt burden leave millions struggling with the rising costs of food and essential services. The most affected population groups, including displaced communities and low-income families, face

worsening hardships.

The impact of the 2022 monsoon floods remains severe, with over 1.5 million people still without permanent housing. Many still suffer from food insecurity, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare. The 2023 and 2024 monsoon seasons further hampered recovery, worsening displacement and

straining humanitarian efforts.

Insecurity persists, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces, where militant attacks have escalated. Violence has increased by 69% since 2022, restricting humanitarian access and heightening fears among affected communities.

Food insecurity remains a major concern, with 11 million people facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse levels between November 2024 to March 2025 as they lack access to sufficient and nutritious food, particularly in flood-affected and conflict-prone areas.

Pakistan was hosting 3.2 million Afghan refugees in October 2024, many of whom faced deportation under the Government’s repatriation plan. Since late 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have been forced to return to Afghanistan, straining their country’s fragile humanitarian system. Many returnees lack access to shelter, employment, and basic services, raising concerns about

their long-term survival.

([UNHCR accessed 13/03/2025]

(https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/operations/islamic-republic-pakistan#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024%2C%20Pakistan,both%20of%20which%20border%20Afghanistan), [IPC 21/02/2025]

(https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-ipc-acute-food-insecurity-snapshot-november-2024-july-2025 ), [ACLED 12/12/2024] (https://acleddata.com/conflict-watchlist-2025/pakistan/ ), [WEF 21/01/2025]

(https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/pakistan-economic-revival-sustainable-and-inclusive-growth/ ), [UNHCR 07/02/2025]

(https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/pakistan-afghanistan-returns-emergency-response-6-february-2025 )

Latest updates on country situation

01 December 2024

Pakistan has been facing challenges in running a wild poliovirus type 1 vaccination programme for numerous reasons, including historical distrust of foreign healthcare providers, lack of awareness, and attacks on vaccination teams. Since the beginning of 2024, militant groups carried out at least 23 attacks against polio teams and security escorts. Until 3 December, 59 positive cases of polio had been reported within the year, much higher than 6 throughout 2023. In September alone, more than one million children missed their vaccination doses. The Government is planning to conduct the next mass vaccination programme in mid-December, with the goal of reaching 44 million children. (Govt. Pakistan 03/12/2024, AJ 01/11/2024, CNN 21/10/2024)

19 November 2024

On 18 November, Pakistan reported its 50th case of wild poliovirus type 1, a substantial increase from 6 cases in 2023, 20 in 2022, and 1 in 2021. The provinces with the most cases are Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. Low vaccination rates and vaccine reluctance pose significant challenges to public health efforts. (CNN 21/10/2024, NEOC 19/11/2024, CDC 12/09/2024)

27 August 2024

From 1 July to 22 August 2024, severe monsoon rains led to widespread flooding across multiple provinces in Pakistan. The flooding displaced 33,178 individuals in Sindh province and submerged 25 schools in Khairpur district. It also damaged 80% of the crops in the district, affecting the livelihoods of families relying on agriculture. In Balochistan province, the floods destroyed 158 houses and damaged 620, along with seven bridges and 35km of roads. The monsoon also killed 131 heads of livestock, affecting farmers' livelihoods. In refugee villages, the floods damaged water supply infrastructure, limiting clean water access and increasing the risk of diseases. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the rains killed 72 people, injured 128, damaged 874 houses, and led to the region’s first confirmed mpox case in Mardan. A flood emergency was declared in Upper Chitral district from 22–30 August. (OCHA 19/08/2024, IMC 20/08/2024, OCHA 23/08/2024)

23 April 2024

Between 12–21 April, Pakistan experienced severe weather, with heavy rainfall causing significant casualties and damage. The weather event resulted in approximately 90 fatalities, 90 injuries, and damage to over 450 schools and 3,500 homes. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province was hit the hardest, followed by Balochistan. Nearly 1,200 people were displaced in KP’s Lower Chitral district. The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns of continued adverse conditions, including rain, windstorms, and hail, particularly affecting Balochistan, Islamabad, Kashmir, KP, and Punjab. Provincial governments in Balochistan and KP are actively supporting the affected communities. (OCHA 22/04/2024, Al Jazeera 16/04/2024, ECHO 23/04/2024)

13 March 2024

Since 26 February 2024, heavy snowfall and rain have been causing floods, landslides, and destruction in northern and western Pakistan. As at 5 March, 40 people died and 62 were injured. The adverse weather conditions led to the destruction of 80 houses and damage to 554. As at 12 March, nine people died and 3,200 houses were damaged in Balochistan. Thousands of people have been displaced, but numbers are yet to be confirmed by official sources. The national and provincial governments are providing food, tents, and cash in the affected areas. Persistent snowfall and rainfall have resulted in the blockade of key highways, roads, and bridges in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, causing access constraints. The adverse weather has also caused internet outages, which are likely hampering the flow of information from the affected regions. Pakistan has not yet recovered from the 2022 flood that left 20.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, with 1.5 million people still displaced in flood-affected districts. (ECHO 06/03/2024, RFERL 05/03/2024, Samaa TV 13/03/2024)

09 October 2023

In Pakistan, 2.14 million children are facing acute malnutrition, a more than 40% increase since 2022. Acute malnutrition is an enduring issue in the country, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, where high rates prevail. The economic crisis and the impact of the 2022 floods have reduced access to food, healthcare, and livelihoods, aggravating the nutrition crisis. (IPC 09/10/2023, WFP 29/09/2023, UNICEF 10/08/2023)

03 October 2023

Pakistan has issued a directive for more than a million undocumented Afghan refugees to leave voluntarily by 1 November 2023, warning of deportation through law enforcement or federal government institutions if they do not comply. Pakistan has also tightened entry rules for Afghans, requiring valid visas and passports. Since October, over 800 Afghans, including some with legal status, have been detained in Pakistan. These refugees are already facing challenges in renewing their documents. The new directive raises concerns about further hardships and vulnerabilities for them. (BBC 04/10/2023, AP 03/10/2023, VOA 02/10/2023)

current crises
in Pakistan


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

PAK001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 25/02/2025


Drivers

Displacement
Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4 High

Access constraints

4.0

PAK004 - Kashmir conflict

Last updated 26/01/2025


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Pakistan

Pakistan: 2024 monsoon floods

09 October 2024

Pakistan: 2024 monsoon floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 330 KB

In 2024, Pakistan has experienced an exceptionally intense monsoon season (typically from July–September), leading to extensive damage and casualties.  In some parts of the country, rainfall levels have reached up to 318% above normal. 

Natural hazards
Afghanistan-Pakistan: forced return of Afghans from Pakistan

07 December 2023

Afghanistan-Pakistan: forced return of Afghans from Pakistan

DOCUMENT / PDF / 481 KB

On 3 October 2023, Pakistani authorities announced that all foreigners in the country without valid documents would be forced to leave by 1 November or face arrest and deportation.

Displacement
Pakistan: flooding

30 November 2022

Pakistan: flooding

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

Since June 2022, heavy monsoon rainfall has led to an unprecedented crisis in Pakistan, causing floods, flash floods, and landslides. The disaster has significantly affected southern and central Pakistan, mostly affecting Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh provinces . 

Natural hazards
Pakistan: Floods

31 August 2022

Pakistan: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 219 KB

Since 14 June, Pakistan has been experiencing an abnormal monsoon rainfall season, close to three times more intense than the past 30-year average. As at 29 August, the floods had killed more than 1,000 people, injured 1,600, and affected more than 33 million (equivalent to nearly 15% of the total population).

Natural hazards
Pakistan: Floods

02 February 2022

Pakistan: Floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 207 KB

Heavy rainfall, heavy snowfall, and sub-zero temperatures hit Balochistan province between 4–10 January, causing flash floods and landslides. The floods affected over 17,300 people in 41 villages within the Gwadar district and damaged or destroyed more than 500 houses.

Natural hazards
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