FROM VULNERABILITY TO RESILIENCE: INGOS AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Climate change poses one of the most pressing threats to Pakistan, jeopardizing water, food, and energy security while exposing communities to floods, droughts, and extreme weather. The national initiatives, like the National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) of 2012 and the implementation framework of 2014, are the result of the rising climate variability in the country since the 1990s. Regardless of these achievements, Pakistan still has difficulties with enforcement, institutional capacity, and knowledge integration between the researchers and policymakers. This research paper explores the extent to which international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) contribute to enhancing the resilience framework in Pakistan and focusing on three aspects of disaster reduction risk, policy advocacy, and community-level adaptation. The analysis will be conducted through panel econometric and complementary qualitative review and it will look at the interaction between financial innovation, external capital flows and adaptation governance. It has been shown that, together with local NGOs, INGOs have played a key role in creating community preparedness, assisting provincial governments, and sealing resource gaps.  However, findings also reveal limitations including lack of ownership at the local level, weak institutional enforcement, and fragmented coordination across governance tiers. Importantly, the evidence highlights that community resilience improves where INGOs actively integrate local participation, technology transfer, and awareness-building into adaptation strategies. This study concludes that Pakistan’s resilience framework requires stronger institutional mechanisms, enhanced collaboration with INGOs, and systematic investment in research and public awareness. Strengthening these dimensions will not only reinforce disaster risk reduction but also advance long-term adaptation pathways toward sustainable climate governance.