ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi met World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director Anita Hirsh at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss food security, climate change, nutrition, and support for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, strengthening cooperation, and expanding the partnership between the provincial government and the WFP. Both sides agreed to further enhance collaboration in priority sectors.

The chief minister highlighted the need for the Chashma Right Lift Bank Canal Project, describing it as essential for bringing millions of acres of land under cultivation and improving food security in the province. He said the provincial government allocates funds for the project every year, but the federal government has yet to provide its committed share.

Afridi said the provincial government was making significant investments in irrigation canals, tube wells, and other agricultural initiatives to strengthen food security. He added that extensive investment had also been made in afforestation under former prime minister Imran Khan’s vision.

He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to more than 45% of Pakistan’s forests, with forests covering 26% of the province’s land area.

Discussing climate change, the chief minister said flash floods and cloudbursts in mountainous regions were causing severe damage to infrastructure and the local economy. He said the provincial government had paid more than Rs15 billion in compensation to flood victims in Buner, Shangla, Swat, and Bajaur, stressing the need for greater investment in green climate initiatives and early warning systems.

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Afridi also highlighted the challenges faced by the merged districts due to terrorism, saying the region had suffered extensive damage to infrastructure and the economy. He said border closures had severely affected cross-border trade, a key source of livelihood for many residents.

Referring to the situation in Tirah, the chief minister said around 24,000 families had been displaced, with access to livelihoods, healthcare, and education remaining major challenges. He added that despite the federal government's unfulfilled commitment to provide Rs17 billion annually for temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) in the merged districts, the provincial government continued to spend substantial resources on relief and rehabilitation efforts.

WFP Country Director Anita Hirsh reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the areas of food security, nutrition, and climate resilience, and pledged continued cooperation with the provincial government.