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       ISLAMABAD: United Nations’ Food and Agri-cul-ture Organisation (FAO) on Wednesday signed the partnerships with ‘Islamic Relief Pakistan’ and ‘Taraqee Foundation’ to build stronger community linkages and enable integrated development in some of the most vulnerable and remote areas of Balochistan.

       Formalised in Islamabad, these strategic partnerships—under the European Union-funded ’ Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP)’ — with two trusted national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will support community mobilisation and sustainable management practices across four major river basins in the province.

       “These partnerships will help strengthen local capacity and reinforce a participatory model that ensures long-term sustainability,” the FAO said in a statement.

       40m-euro initiative aims to build local capacity, ensure long-term rural resilience

       Islamic Relief Pakistan will lead community mobilisation in the Hingol and Hamun-e-Mashkhel river bas-ins while Taraqee Foundation will operate in the Pis-hin Lora and Nari basins. Together, the two organisations will work across 32 watersheds covering 19 districts.

       The FAO said the collaboration aims to deepen grassroots support for sustainable water, agriculture, and livestock management. “These efforts contribute to inclusive participation and more effective delivery of climate-resilient interventions under RBWRP,” the statement said.

       The RBWRP is a five-year, 40m-euro initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the FAO in coordination with the government of Balochistan. Scheduled for completion in September 2026, the programme focuses on rehabilitating and managing water resources, improving rangelands and spate irrigation systems, and promoting climate-smart farming practices.

       The programme is expected to have four outcomes: effective governance structures that will sustainably and equitably deliver evidence-based oversight of water and rangeland resources at provincial, river basin, watershed, and community levels; transition to low water use agriculture and livestock farming systems; water efficient and profitable agricultural value chains; and enhanced core capacities of government institutions, academia, community, and the private sector to support and manage their water and rangeland resources sustainably and equitably.

       “These agreements mark a significant step toward expanding RBWRP’s outreach and impact in Balochistan,” the FAO said.

       Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025