Beauty Under Threat
Azad Kashmir, nestled in the mighty Himalayas, is often described as paradise on earth. Its glaciers feed rivers, its mountains guard ancient valleys, and its people live with resilience and faith. But beneath this breathtaking beauty lies a growing danger.
The twin threats of climate change and earthquakes are reshaping daily life in Kashmir. Melting glaciers, unpredictable rains, and seismic shocks leave families at risk. For a widow in Bhimber, it means wondering whether her home will still stand tomorrow. For an orphan in Muzaffarabad, it means missing school when floods cut off the roads.
The people of Kashmir cannot face these challenges alone. With the compassion of UK donors, the Kashmir Welfare Foundation is working to build resilience, save lives, and create a safer tomorrow.
The Harsh Reality of Climate Change in Kashmir
Climate change in Kashmir is not a faraway theory. It is a lived reality.
- Melting glaciers: The source of life for Kashmir’s rivers is disappearing fast. The more they melt, the higher the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can wipe out entire villages within minutes.
- Pakistan climate change impact: Across Pakistan, flooding has become more frequent and devastating. In Azad Kashmir, this means crops are destroyed, and families who depend on farming fall into deeper poverty.
- Changing rainfall: Once-predictable seasons have turned erratic. Farmers no longer know when to plant. Food insecurity grows, leaving mothers to choose between feeding their children or themselves.
- Loss of biodiversity: The forests that once protected hillsides are vanishing. Without trees, landslides bury homes, and fertile soil is washed away.
For many families, climate change means losing not just their livelihoods but their hope.
How Kashmir Can Reverse the Tide
Though the crisis is global, there are solutions that can be built locally in Kashmir, with the support of the diaspora.
1. Renewable Energy for a Brighter Future
The sun that shines over Neelum Valley could power thousands of homes. Solar panels and micro-hydropower reduce reliance on costly fuels and give families reliable electricity. For a widow raising her children, this means light to study by and warmth during winter nights.
2. The Green Kashmir Campaign 🌳
Forests are Kashmir’s shield. Through our Green Kashmir Campaign and 1 Million Trees Project, donors are bringing life back to barren hillsides. Each tree absorbs carbon, prevents landslides, and gives shade to children walking to school.
👉 Plant hope today: Support the Green Kashmir Project.
3. Sustainable Farming for Families
By teaching farmers new methods—like agroforestry, organic farming, and drip irrigation—we protect the soil and secure food. An orphanage with a small orchard can feed its children and sell the surplus to sustain itself.
4. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Building stronger homes, roads, and schools protects against floods and landslides. Drainage systems channel heavy rains safely, and raised foundations save classrooms from water damage. Every pound donated to these projects is a shield for future generations.
Earthquakes: The Ever-Present Danger
Kashmir is one of the world’s most seismically active regions. The memory of 8th October 2005, when 100,000 lives were lost, remains etched in the hearts of survivors. Entire families were buried beneath rubble, schools collapsed, and children were left without parents.
Even today, the threat of another earthquake is constant. A single tremor could undo years of progress. That is why preparedness is essential.
Building Preparedness and Resilience
Public Awareness
Knowledge saves lives. Communities must know what to do when the earth shakes—how to take cover, where to evacuate, and how to protect the most vulnerable.
Stronger Building Codes
Too many homes and schools are built without earthquake resilience. By enforcing earthquake-resistant construction, future tragedies can be prevented.
Retrofitting Existing Infrastructure
Hospitals, schools, and bridges must be upgraded to withstand shocks. Imagine the difference when a hospital stays standing during a quake, continuing to treat the injured instead of collapsing on them.
Emergency Response Planning
The Kashmir Welfare Foundation is building an emergency budget, so when the next disaster strikes, we act immediately instead of waiting for funds. With your support, we can stock relief supplies, map evacuation routes, and establish safe shelters.
👉 Help us be ready before disaster strikes: Donate to Emergency Relief Campaign.
Why UK Donors Matter
For the UK’s Kashmiri diaspora, this is not just charity. It is family responsibility. It is protecting the villages of your grandparents, safeguarding the land of your parents, and giving your children a link back to their roots.
Every Zakat, every Sadaqah, every act of Regular Giving is a lifeline.
Your generosity not only responds to disasters but also prepares Kashmir for the future.
A Vision for the Future
Imagine a Kashmir where children study under solar light, farmers harvest from climate-smart fields, and families live in homes strong enough to withstand earthquakes. Imagine a Kashmir where trees cover every hillside, protecting villages below.
This is not a dream. It is a future within reach, with the continued support of compassionate donors like you.
Kashmir Climate FAQs
1. Why is Kashmir so vulnerable to climate change?
Because of its glaciers, rivers, and mountainous terrain, Kashmir is highly exposed to floods, landslides, and droughts caused by climate shifts.
2. What is the Kashmir Welfare Foundation doing about climate change?
Through the Green Kashmir Campaign, tree planting, and sustainable farming projects, we are reducing vulnerability while empowering local communities.
3. How can UK donors help with earthquake preparedness?
By funding the Emergency Relief Campaign, which ensures supplies and funds are available immediately after a disaster strikes.
4. Can Zakat and Sadaqah be used for climate and disaster projects?
Yes. Your Zakat and Sadaqah support widows, orphans, and vulnerable families directly impacted by disasters and climate change.
5. Why focus on preparedness instead of waiting for an emergency?
Because lives are lost in the delay. Preparedness ensures aid is ready from the first moment, saving time and lives.
