ABKT's Flood Relief & Rehabilitation Initiative

ABKT's Flood Relief Initiative in Pakistan

6^th Quarterly Progress Report

November 2024– May 2025

 Introduction to the organization:

The Association for Behavior and Knowledge Transformation (ABKT) was formed by a group of courageous women activists in the Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 1992 and registered with the Social Welfare Department under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961 on 16th June 1994.  ABK was the first women-led organization of the Malakand division and is working for the rights, development, and empowerment of marginalized segments of the society, especially women, children, and youth, in the most conservative and culturally sensitive areas. ABKT worked in the ex-PATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province through 6 field offices and a head office. ABK implemented around 100 small- and large-scale projects in different thematic and programmatic areas in different parts of KP. ABKT has been passed through the organizational assessment process of Concern RAPID, USAID Citizens Voice Project, WHO, UNHCR, UNDP, and WFP, which strengthened the organizations’ systems.

ABKT implemented emergency relief and early recovery and rehabilitation projects in the areas of coordination, assessment of IDP camps and sharing with UNOCHA, and restoration and rehabilitation of the health system in militancy-affected Swat. This includes rehabilitation/restoration and made functional 02 CDs and 03 BHUs in District Swat with the financial support of WHO and district health administration; rehabilitated 07 flood-damaged suspension bridges and 5.5K irrigation channels with the financial support of UNDP and the deputy commissioner; implemented a reproductive health project (MNCH) in Lund Khwer Mardan in IDP camps in Lund Khwer and Sadat Baba Mardan with the help of IPDS and individual volunteer supporters; provided cash support to the IDPs in Lund Khwer with the help of individual supporters; implemented a health and hygiene promotion project and distributionofHygieneKitsandNFIstothefloodaffectedpopulationinUpperandLowerDirwith the help of UNICEF and Abt. Associate / USAID. ABKT also implemented 03 projects on peace restoration and development for militancy-affected youth in Lower Dir, Upper Dir, and Swat with the help of UNDP and the Tourism Corporation of the Government of KP (TC-KP).

ABKT Vision: To form a democratic, prosperous, and peaceful society that guarantees equal development opportunities for all.

ABKT Mission: To develop socially, economically and politically marginalized communities especially women, youth and children through mobilization, group formation, capacity building, economic empowerment and advocating for their rights and entitlements to ensure development for all

Geographical Coverage: ABK implemented projects in Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Swat, Shangla, and Malakand of Malakand division in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Batagramand, and Haripur of Hazara division and worked with IDPs in district Mardan, Peshawar, and Swabi.

ABKT implemented projects in Lower Dir, Upper Dir, and Malakand in the past 5 years, while some of the projects were on a national level, such as Women Voices Pakistan.

 ABKT’s Relief and Recovery Initiatives: November 2024 – May 2025

1. Evidence-Based Advocacy and Assessments
   ABKT has remained at the forefront of humanitarian response by consistently collecting, updating, and analyzing data from flood-affected districts, including Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, and Swat. These assessments are systematically compiled into detailed reports and disseminated among key stakeholders—UN agencies, government departments, civil society, and development partners—to highlight the critical needs, challenges, and vulnerabilities of affected populations, with a specific focus on women and children.
2. Strategic Representation and Networking
   ABKT serves as a strong voice for flood-affected communities at national and international platforms. This includes active engagement with the UN cluster system, participation in global and national advocacy networks, and strategic use of media—both traditional and digital—to raise awareness, influence policy, and drive collaborative solutions.
3. Rehabilitation and Livelihood Restoration
   To support sustainable recovery, ABKT launched a comprehensive project focusing on the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure and services—such as health, education, and livelihoods—in Upper Dir, Lower Dir, and Swat. In preparation to scale this initiative across additional flood-hit areas, ABKT undertook a rigorous assessment of 200 farmers severely impacted by the 2022 floods. Based on the verified data, the organization distributed agricultural toolkits, seeds, and fertilizers to aid in seasonal crop production. This timely support not only addressed urgent needs but also helped restore livelihoods and strengthened community resilience.
4. Agricultural Support and Technical Capacity Building
   ABKT continues to empower local farmers through technical training and collaboration with the district agriculture departments. A key intervention includes capacity-building sessions on vertical tomato farming—a sustainable method introduced for the current season. A farmer consultation was recently held with agricultural experts to share best practices, aiming to boost yield and improve food security in the region. 

ABKT’s Flood Releif Activities in July 2024 to October 2024:

1. ABKT consistently updates data and conducts assessments of flood-affected areas, focusing on Upper Dir, Lower Dir, and Swat. The organization shares this compiled data and assessments in the form of reports with individuals, organizations, UN agencies, and other stakeholders. The objective is to bring attention to the issues, challenges, and specific needs of various segments within the flood-affected communities, particularly women and children.

2. ABKT actively represents the people of the target areas in different national and international forums. This includes engagement with the UN cluster system, participation in national and international networks, collaboration with print and electronic media, and utilizing social media platforms.

3. ABKT is successfully working on a project for the restoration and rehabilitation of flood-affected people in Upper Dir and has completed the reconstruction of three suspension bridges in Flood Affected Union Council Palam, Tehsil Ler Jam of Upper Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

4. ABKT has initiated a project aimed at the restoration and rehabilitation of flood-affected individuals, focusing on community basic infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood in Upper Dir, Lower Dir, and Swat. Furthermore, the organization is working on resource mobilization to expand this project to cover the remaining flood-affected areas within the target districts. ABKT meticulously gathered and verified data concerning 200 farmers affected by the 2022 flood. Subsequently, the organization supplied them with toolkits, seeds, and fertilizers to support crop cultivation for the upcoming season. This intervention has not only addressed the immediate needs of these farmers but also contributed to the restoration of their agricultural activities, fostering resilience and sustainable recovery within the impacted community.

5. ABKT is regularly working with the local farming community, arranging various training sessions in collaboration with the district agriculture department to orient them on the cultivation of vertical tomatoes for the ongoing season. In this regard, ABKT organized a consultation for local farmers with agricultural experts, providing them with relevant knowledge to enhance tomato production this year.

• 5th Quarterly Progress Report (July-October 2024) (PDF)