In a region repeatedly battered by earthquakes and floods, 150 schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) just got a major safety upgrade — thanks to a ¥471 million grant from the Government of Japan through JICA, delivered by UN-Habitat and UNDP.
The Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure (DRSI) Project, just celebrated at a high-level event in Pakistan, has retrofitted and repaired school buildings across eight high-risk districts: Buner, Swat, Malakand, Peshawar, Upper & Lower Chitral, and Upper & Lower Dir.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sits on some of the most seismically active land in South Asia. Many of its schools were built before Pakistan’s 2007 Building Code introduced mandatory earthquake-resistant standards. When the next quake or monsoon flood hits, these upgraded schools will stand firm — protecting lives and keeping classroom doors open.
By the Numbers – Real Impact on the Ground
- 150 schools fully strengthened with seismic retrofitting
- 31,000 students (including 13,595 girls) now studying in safer buildings
- 300 gender-responsive WASH facilities rehabilitated, with special focus on 66 girls’ schools
- Improved lighting, ventilation, and overall learning environments
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, called it “a vital investment in protecting children and ensuring education continues even after disasters.”
JICA Chief Representative Mr. Naoaki Miyata highlighted that the project directly boosts resilience in primary, middle, and high schools across the eight hardest-hit districts.
UN-Habitat’s Senior Advisor Mr. Jawed Ali Khan stressed: “Children can now learn with confidence and security in classrooms that won’t collapse when the ground shakes.”
The Provincial Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education thanked Japan, JICA, UN-Habitat, and UNDP, noting that parents now trust the schools again — and attendance is rising as a result.
Even the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) praised the initiative as a national benchmark for disaster preparedness.
More Than Bricks and Mortar
This isn’t just construction — it’s a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education) and SDG 13 (climate action). Safe schools mean girls stay enrolled longer, communities rebuild faster after disasters, and an entire generation grows up believing education is unbreakable.
The Work Isn’t Finished
While 150 schools is a massive leap forward, thousands more across KP (and Pakistan) still lack basic seismic and flood protection. UN-Habitat and its partners are calling for sustained investment to scale this proven model nationwide.
When disasters strike, resilient schools don’t just save lives — they preserve hope.
