In Pakistan, humanitarian needs are driven by armed conflict, natural disasters, including droughts and floods, and malnutrition crises. Pakistan also hosts the second-largest number of refugees in the world, mainly from Afghanistan. For many affected communities, risks are exacerbated by pervasive poverty and poor access to basic services, including safe water, sanitation and healthcare. Additionally, an HIV outbreak was declared in Sindh province in 2019, but the country lacks sufficient stock of anti-retroviral medications, increasing the risk of further transmission. Women and girls also face grave protection risks, including gender-based violence and harmful practices such as early and forced marriage. UNFPA in Pakistan provides sexual and reproductive health services and supports mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV), both in crisis-affected regions and among Afghan refugees.
