Life on the edge of climate change – and how communities in northern Pakistan are adapting

Perched at approximately 1,430 metres above sea level, Chitral is a mountainous district in northern Pakistan, home to more than 320,000 people. The landscape here is articulated by towering peaks, deep valleys and the powerful flow of the Chitral River, which both sustains and threatens the communities along its banks.

With a history of settlement stretching back around 4,000 years, Chitral is known for its peaceful way of life and strong community resilience through the centuries.

However, in recent years, this resilience has been tested: climate change is reshaping the rhythms of life here, bringing unpredictable weather, rising temperatures – with the average annual temperature rising by 0.6°C per decade – and shifting rainfall patterns that intensify natural hazards.

The devastating August 2025 floods, which also struck neighbouring Gilgit-Baltistan, are a stark example of the escalating impact of these disasters, underscoring the urgent need for communities to adapt.

"For decades, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) has walked alongside the people of Chitral,” says Farmanullah, Senior Engineer/Project Manager for Infrastructure at AKF in Pakistan. “Each bridge, shelter and system we build is more than infrastructure – it’s a safeguard for lives and livelihoods against the growing threats of climate change.”

Over the past 18 months, AKF and the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), with humanitarian funding from the European Union, have partnered with the people of Chitral and local government bodies to coordinate sustainable and unified disaster preparedness. Building on more than 50 years of AKF’s service to the district, the programme combines innovative technology, community engagement and the work of a dedicated team of local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers.

In this photo essay, meet the individuals leading this response and learn more about the impact of this programme so far.

Looking over the Chitral River, with Chitral Airport’s runway in the background, the district’s dramatic landscape is visible, where mountains rise above homes and the river flows with immense force.

In this fragile environment, small changes in rainfall or snow and glacial melt can trigger floods, putting homes, roads and livelihoods at risk.

Daneen village bears the scars of flooding in 2024 and 2025.

Homes were damaged, roads washed out and crops destroyed. In 2025 alone, AKAH has recorded 17 avalanches, 28 floods and flash floods, three landslides and an earthquake in Chitral.

In Munoor village, Sultan Salahuddin, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) captain, monitors river levels and assesses bank erosion during the summer season.

“The role of a CERT volunteer is very critical as the information we collect helps feed the disasters dashboard as well as create timely alerts and awareness messages, ensuring communities can take precautions and stay safe”, says Sultan.

This dashboard allows authorities and communities to track hazards in real time.

In Zhiture village, Farkhanda, CERT volunteer and Community Master Trainer, pays monthly visits to families to discuss weather updates and community contingency plans.

Farkhanda explains, “Disaster education and awareness help families learn how to use available resources and consider family members who need special care and support during emergencies.”

Through this work, Farkhanda ensures that vulnerable groups – including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities – are aware of safe evacuation routes and shelters.

CERT volunteers like Farkhanda also visit households door-to-door to provide first aid training. By equipping residents with practical skills, these volunteers foster a culture of mutual support and ensure that communities can respond effectively during emergencies.

In Awi Shoghore, AKF and AKAH staff, accompanied by CERT volunteers, inspect an early warning system (EWS) to ensure it is functioning effectively.

Through the programme, AKF and AKAH have consolidated over 50 separate systems into a single, coordinated network, enabling faster and more reliable alerts that save lives during floods and other disasters.

At this weather monitoring post, Ibrahim briefs community members on how the EWS works, including the sirens used for emergency evacuation. These sessions teach residents not only how to interpret alerts but also the actions they should take, reinforcing preparedness and reducing risks during extreme weather events.

“Weather monitoring posts, early warning systems and trained volunteers form a powerful network that strengthens disaster preparedness and saves lives,” says CERT volunteer, Ibrahim Khan.

The main market in Chitral town serves as a central hub where communities buy essential goods that are not available in smaller village markets.

Disasters such as floods and landslides can disrupt these trading routes, cutting off access to critical supplies and disproportionately affecting the most remote families.

To address this, AKF and AKAH staff conduct market assessments across Upper and Lower Chitral, examining accessibility, commodity prices and the impact of disasters on trading patterns. These assessments inform a cash distribution system.

“In times of disasters, time and dignity matter the most when supporting affected communities,” explains Zeeshan Azmat, the project’s manager.

“The cash distribution system empowers local authorities to deliver timely and transparent cash assistance to vulnerable families, giving them the decision-making power to prioritise their most urgent needs. This coordinated and sustainable mechanism will continue to support at-risk communities in the future.”

CERT volunteers, working alongside disaster assessment and response teams, visit affected households in Murdan village to register families for cash assistance. By combining on-the-ground assessments with digital tracking, the programme ensures that the most vulnerable receive the aid they need to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods and recover from the impacts of floods and other climate-related disasters.

Through the work of CERT volunteers, local authorities and partners like AKF and AKAH, the people of Chitral are becoming better equipped to face floods, avalanches and other climate threats. These efforts show that even in the most challenging landscapes, communities can adapt, recover and shape a safer, more secure future for generations to come.

This programme has been delivered thanks to the generous support of the European Union.

This story was produced in partnership by the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and the Aga Khan Foundation.