The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has successfully concluded the final phase of a livestock distribution and capacity-building initiative aimed at improving the economic resilience of vulnerable households in northwest Pakistan.
The programme, titled “Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable Households in Pakistan through Livestock Provision,” was launched in October 2025 to help low-income rural families strengthen their livelihoods through sustainable livestock farming. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s Relief Rehabilitation and Settlement Department (RRSD), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the local non-governmental group Peace and Development Organization (PADO).
Under the final phase of the project, a total of 500 cattle were distributed among deserving families across three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The largest share went to Charsadda, where 200 cattle were handed over to beneficiaries, followed by Mardan and Nowshera, each receiving 150 animals. In addition to livestock, households were also provided two bags of silage per beneficiary to ensure proper nutrition and care for the animals during the initial period.
To enhance the long-term impact of the initiative, the project also included an extensive training component. Officials said 40 training sessions were conducted in partnership with district livestock departments, focusing on modern livestock management techniques, disease prevention, animal health, and improved breeding practices. These sessions were designed to equip beneficiaries with practical skills that could help them generate stable income and build sustainable micro-enterprises in the rural economy.
According to KSrelief, approximately 3,570 individuals directly benefited from the final stage of the programme. The intervention is expected to contribute to higher household earnings, better food security, and increased economic stability for participating families over the coming years.
In its statement, the organisation highlighted that the initiative reflects the humanitarian vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which prioritises empowering disadvantaged communities and promoting self-reliance through livelihood-based support rather than short-term relief measures.
Saudi Arabia, mainly through KSrelief, has remained a key humanitarian partner for Pakistan in recent years, supporting projects related to flood recovery, healthcare, education, and livelihood restoration across multiple provinces. The livestock empowerment programme represents another step in strengthening bilateral humanitarian cooperation and addressing the recurring economic challenges faced by rural communities.
