ISLAMABAD, Thursday, November 27, 2025 (WNP): UN-Habitat convened a high-level gathering in Islamabad to showcase major progress under the Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure (DRSI) Project—an initiative aimed at strengthening school safety in some of Pakistan’s most disaster-affected regions.
The event marked a significant milestone in efforts to create secure and resilient learning environments for children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
KP remains one of Pakistan’s most vulnerable provinces, repeatedly hit by earthquakes, floods and climate-driven hazards that have damaged or destroyed hundreds of schools.
Many buildings erected before Pakistan’s 2007 Building Code still lack seismic design features, leaving students at continued risk. To address these gaps, UN-Habitat launched the DRSI Project to retrofit, repair and upgrade school facilities across the province.
Funded by the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with 471 million Japanese Yen, the project was jointly implemented by UN-Habitat and UNDP in partnership with the KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department. The initiative enhanced structural safety in 150 schools across eight districts—benefiting more than 31,000 students, including 13,595 girls—and rehabilitated 300 gender-responsive WASH facilities, with specialized support for 66 girls’ schools.
Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor and Programme Manager at UN-Habitat, said the upgraded schools now provide stable classrooms, improved ventilation and lighting, and essential WASH services, enabling children to study in a secure environment.
JICA Chief Representative Naoaki Miyata noted that the project will boost resilience in primary, middle and high schools across Buner, Swat, Malakand, Peshawar, Upper and Lower Chitral, and Upper and Lower Dir—districts historically vulnerable to natural hazards.
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, praised the collaborative effort and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s resilience and education agenda. He emphasized that strengthening school infrastructure is a critical investment in safeguarding children and ensuring continuity of learning during disasters.
Hamid Mumtaz, Deputy Programme Manager at UN-Habitat, underscored the growing urgency of building resilient schools across high-risk regions. Drawing on two decades of experience in Pakistan, he highlighted UN-Habitat’s contributions to safe reconstruction guidelines, multi-hazard risk assessments and disaster-risk reduction planning.
The Secretary of the KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan, JICA, UN-Habitat and UNDP, noting that the project has significantly improved school safety in communities previously affected by severe earthquakes and floods. He added that stronger, safer schools have boosted community confidence and increased student attendance.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recognized the project as a key contribution to Pakistan’s disaster preparedness efforts, stressing that resilient school infrastructure plays a vital role in saving lives, minimizing long-term losses and ensuring uninterrupted education.
While the DRSI Project has improved safety in 150 schools, officials stressed that needs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain far greater. Continued investment, they said, is crucial to protect children, strengthen resilience and advance Sustainable Development Goal 4 by ensuring safe, inclusive and quality learning environments for all.
