💚 Poverty in Gilgit-Baltistan
Hidden among the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, many families in Gilgit-Baltistan live in poverty due to isolation, limited arable land, and harsh winters. Remote mountain villages face food shortages, lack of health care and unsafe drinking water — leaving widows and orphans especially vulnerable.
The Kashmir Welfare Foundation is working to reduce rural poverty, hunger and malnutrition by providing winter packs, food parcels, clean water projects, medical support, and orphan education aid. Your donations help sustain life and hope in these extreme northern communities of Pakistan.
“Even a smile to your brother is charity.”
— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ
Gilgit-Baltistan Profile
Nestled within the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, Gilgit-Baltistan spans 72,971 km² of rugged mountains and valleys. Home to around 1.8 million people, it is known as the “Roof of the World” for its breathtaking landscapes, glaciers, and towering peaks including K2.
The region’s linguistic diversity reflects centuries of trade and cultural exchange. Each valley preserves its own dialect and oral traditions passed down through generations.
Situated along the Gilgit River, the capital serves as the administrative and cultural hub for the region — linking remote mountain valleys to the Karakoram Highway.
Covering vast glacial terrain, Gilgit-Baltistan is larger than many countries. Its landscape includes valleys like Hunza, Skardu and Ghizer, and more than 7,000 glaciers.
Despite its harsh environment, Gilgit-Baltistan’s resilient population thrives through agriculture, tourism and small trade, preserving centuries-old traditions.
Administratively divided into Gilgit, Diamer, and Baltistan divisions, the region includes iconic areas such as Hunza, Skardu, Astore, Ghizer and Ghanche.
Home to some of the world’s tallest peaks — K2, Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak — the region attracts global mountaineers and adventure seekers year-round.
Hadith on Charity
“Charity does not decrease wealth. No one forgives another except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.”
— Sahih Muslim (2588)
🏔️ Our Projects in Gilgit-Baltistan
In the remote mountain valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir Welfare Foundation delivers vital relief — from zakat and sadaqah programmes to medical aid, winter support, and climate response initiatives — helping the most isolated families survive and thrive.
Zakat, Sadaqah & Lillah
- Zakat – Gilgit-Baltistan
- Sadaqah – Gilgit
- Sadaqah Jariyah – Gilgit
- Lillah – Gilgit
- Kaffarah – Gilgit
- Riba – Clearing Impermissible Wealth
- Aqeeqah – Gilgit
Your zakat and sadaqah sustain struggling families across Gilgit’s remote valleys, ensuring food, warmth and dignity through locally managed Islamic giving programmes.
Healthcare & Emergency Support
- Gilgit Medical Camp
- Mobile Hospital – Gilgit
- Flood Relief – Gilgit
- Glacial Outburst Response
- Winter Relief – Gilgit
From mobile hospitals to flood recovery, KWF provides lifesaving medical care and emergency assistance to mountain communities cut off by harsh weather and terrain.
Environment & Green Initiatives
Our climate-focused projects help protect the fragile mountain ecosystem — planting trees, restoring natural barriers and building resilience against glacial floods and changing weather.
Child Development & Sponsorship
Supporting orphans and vulnerable children through education and medical access — giving every child in Gilgit-Baltistan the tools to learn, grow, and build a better future.
🏔️ Frequently Asked Questions – Gilgit-Baltistan Projects
1. What is the focus of KWF’s work in Gilgit-Baltistan?
KWF supports remote mountain villages through food security, winter aid, clean water systems, healthcare access, and education sponsorships. Our work targets high-altitude communities often cut off during harsh weather or natural disasters.
2. Why does Gilgit-Baltistan need humanitarian support?
Due to isolation, limited arable land, and long winters, many families face poverty and food scarcity. We help provide stability through essential relief programmes and long-term sustainability efforts tailored to the mountain terrain.
3. What is included in winter relief packs?
Each winter pack contains warm blankets, thermal clothing, food staples, and heating fuel to help families survive extreme cold. These distributions focus on vulnerable elders, widows, and children living above snow-line villages.
4. How do water projects work in mountainous regions?
Our teams construct gravity-fed pipelines, spring protection systems, and small solar pumps where feasible. These sustainable solutions provide safe drinking water and improve sanitation for entire villages with minimal environmental impact.
5. Does KWF support education in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Yes. We provide scholarships, school supplies, and teacher stipends for children in rural valleys. Education helps break the poverty cycle and empowers young generations to build better futures for their communities.
6. Are donations zakat-eligible in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Yes. Our projects meet Shariah criteria for zakat. Funds are directed to the most vulnerable families — including widows, orphans, and those without stable income — under strict distribution guidelines.
7. How does KWF reach isolated communities?
We partner with trusted local volunteers and mountain guides who deliver aid safely across rough terrain. Supplies are transported by jeeps or carried on foot to ensure every remote household receives support.
8. Do you run healthcare programmes there?
We hold periodic medical camps providing free consultations, essential medicines, and maternal health checks. These mobile clinics reduce the need for long and dangerous travel to distant hospitals.
9. How do you ensure accountability in such remote areas?
All distributions are monitored, photographed, and logged by local coordinators. Reports are verified by our Pakistan office and UK management team to maintain transparency and donor trust.
10. How can I help families in Gilgit-Baltistan?
You can donate towards food packs, winter relief, education, or water projects through our Quick Donate page. Even a small contribution provides lasting impact in this remote region.
11. What challenges do aid workers face in Gilgit-Baltistan?
Access is often limited by landslides, snow blockages, and communication barriers. Despite these hardships, our local teams remain committed to delivering aid with consistency and care throughout the year.
12. Are your projects environmentally friendly?
Yes. We prioritise eco-friendly materials, renewable energy, and reforestation drives. Our initiatives encourage sustainability to protect Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique ecology and fragile mountain ecosystems.
13. Do you collaborate with local communities?
We always work through community elders, teachers, and volunteers who understand local customs and needs. This partnership approach ensures transparency, inclusivity, and long-term project success.
14. What makes Gilgit-Baltistan aid unique?
Unlike urban programmes, mountain relief requires careful logistics, climate-specific aid, and constant adaptation. KWF’s focus is holistic — combining faith, environment, and human dignity at high altitude.
15. How can UK donors stay updated?
Donors receive regular photo reports and social media updates showing completed projects. We also send seasonal newsletters highlighting ongoing campaigns, success stories, and future plans for the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
🌍 Where We Work
Kashmir Welfare Foundation operates across key regions — from the heart of Azad Kashmir to communities across Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. Together, these regions form the core of our mission to empower, rebuild and sustain lives.
🏞️ Azad Kashmir
The heart of our work. From Neelum to Bagh and Sudhanoti, we bring education, clean water, medical care and livelihood support — reaching remote mountain communities and transforming lives where it matters most.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Across Pakistan, we deliver aid through zakat, sadaqah and sustainable projects. From flood relief to healthcare and reforestation, our teams provide faith-driven support to families in crisis.
🏔️ Gilgit-Baltistan
High in the mountains, our mobile medical units, winter packs and education support bring hope to the most remote valleys — ensuring no household is left behind.
