In response to the recent devastation caused by heavy rains and flash floods in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and other vulnerable mountain communities, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), through its agencies, is on the ground — assessing needs, supporting affected families, and coordinating relief and recovery operations with local authorities. The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), AKDN’s lead response agency for natural disasters, has been spearheading community-based disaster management and response for over two decades. It has trained more than 36,000 community volunteers as first responders — half of whom are women — grouped into over 170 Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan earlier presented an official letter to His Highness the Aga Khan and sought assistance in the wake of the recent floods. AKDN agreed to provide support in the early recovery, rehabilitation and green retrofitting of schools in Gilgit-Baltistan, repairing solar facilities in flood affected government health facilities, rehabilitating drinking water supply schemes, protecting infrastructure and establishing CERTs in flood affected areas.