Daily Times

Baku, Azerbaijan – Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, showcased the remarkable achievements of the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) program in a keynote address, positioning it as a global model for climate-resilient reconstruction.

A humanitarian housing program larger than the population of 154 countries captured global attention at COP29 today,

In a landmark address at a conferecnce A Blueprint for Global Resilience COP29 regarding the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees in Pakistan Pavilion, Baku, Azerbaijan Murad Ali shah stated that SPHF unveiled its revolutionary approach to climate-resilient reconstruction. At a landmark panel discussion in the Pakistan Pavilion titled, “Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees: A Blueprint for Global Resilience,” international development leaders explored how this Government of Sindh initiative has redefined the parameters of post-disaster recovery and community rebuilding.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the project is inspired by the vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, with a mission to build resilience for flood-affected communities.

Shah highlighted several key milestones: Currently, 2.1 million homes are being constructed. Over 1 million bank accounts have been opened, facilitating 810,000 disbursements to families affected by floods. In Sindh alone, 300,000 climate-resilient houses have already been completed. The next phase will focus on enhancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, with 60,000 resilient settlements currently in progress.

In a gesture of gratitude, a flood-affected village has been named after UN Secretary-General António Guterres, recognizing his support. CM Sindh expressed his sincere appreciation to the global community for their unwavering assistance.

The keynote address was followed by a high-level panel discussion featuring:

* Mr. Khalid Mehmood Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of SPHF

* Ms. Xiaohong Yang, Deputy Director General, Central and West Asia Department, Asian Development Bank

* Dr. Issa Faye, Director-General, Global Practices and Partnerships, Islamic Development Bank

* Dr. Valerie Hickey, Global Director for the Environment Department, World Bank

Beginning the session, Ms. Xiaohong Yang, when asked about the inclusion of technology and transparency in the project’s execution, said, “It truly deserves outstanding applause. The transformational digitalization through the MIS mechanism means that anywhere, anytime, we can see how funds are being spent and how many facilities are being built. We know the exact number of women beneficiaries and are working to create a resilient system for future floods by including community input in the project design. This strategy of transparency adopted by the Government of Sindh leadership has accelerated the efficiency of the project tremendously.”

The initiative’s cutting-edge Management Information System (MIS) has revolutionized aid distribution through direct beneficiary transfers, eliminating intermediaries and setting new global benchmarks for transparency in humanitarian assistance.

Addressing what motivated the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to support the SPHF initiative, Dr. Issa Faye stated, “It is in our charter to show solidarity and support the countries of our Ummah. We need to deliver for the people of Pakistan. Our strategy is based on two pillars: one, green, sustainable infrastructure development-building resilience-which completely aligns with this project; and second, human capital development. These two pillars provide the framework to support this project. Beyond this, we have witnessed the deep commitment from the Sindh government toward rehabilitating rural Sindh, reaffirming our ongoing support.”

SPHF’s pioneering approach extends beyond housing to comprehensive community rebuilding. Through innovative settlement-level planning, the program integrates GIS technology, household surveys, and community engagement to create climate-resilient villages.

“In many ways, we view this initiative as more than a project. This is a miracle happening in Sindh province-for decades, there have been smaller floods in many countries, and governments have never figured out how to provide housing, Government of Sindh’s efforts are highly commendable in this regard. It’s not just about the house or bricks and mortar; it’s about the family living in that house-about families now living in 300,000 houses that have been built, finding independence. Through monsoons this year and previous, to know they are safe; their livelihoods are safe. This miracle is equivalent to a million job opportunities, financial inclusion, and security within the community. It’s allowed tens of thousands of women to open bank accounts and acquire land certificates safeguarding their future-they now have assets they can leverage,” Dr. Valerie Hickey expressed, sharing how the World Bank views large-scale housing initiatives like SPHF in building climate resilience for historically marginalized communities.

Speaking on SPHF’s transformative impact as the world’s most significant post-disaster housing reconstruction effort, Mr. Khalid Mehmood Shaikh highlighted two major achievements: “First, the sheer scale of impact, reaching 15 million people, and second, the unprecedented advancement in women’s empowerment and financial literacy. When people with meagre financial resources were entrusted with $1,000 for rebuilding their houses, they demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial skills. They opened bank accounts, withdrew money, made informed decisions about materials and masons, and built remarkable houses that we now see across Sindh. This proves that when people are empowered to manage their resources, it opens doors not just for housing, but for their overall prosperity, health, and education.”

The discussion at COP29 highlighted how SPHF’s multi-hazard-resistant housing aligns with climate adaptation goals while also driving economic growth, women’s empowerment, and social transformation. Panellists emphasized that the initiative not only rebuilds communities but transforms them, offering a replicable model of climate resilience. By integrating technology, community engagement, and sustainable practices, SPHF has set a global benchmark for disaster recovery efforts.