Lasoona Relief & Development Organization

08/05/2026

🌱 Strengthening Climate Resilient Agriculture (CSA) 🌾

LASOONA is proud to share the successful completion of a Farmer Field School (FFS) training and hands-on field demonstration on Climate Resilient Agriculture (CSA) in Village Bela, VC Shinkoo- District Swat.

As part of this initiative, five progressive farmers were selected to establish CSA demonstration plots and were provided with climate-resilient agricultural inputs. To foster knowledge sharing and community engagement, each lead farmer involved four additional farmers—bringing together a total of 25 farmers for this learning experience.
The training focused on practical, field-based approaches including:

✅ Improved sowing techniques for maize and kidney beans
✅ Intercropping for enhanced productivity and resilience
✅ Integrated crop management practices
✅ Blending indigenous knowledge with modern climate-smart agriculture techniques

This initiative reflects our commitment to empowering farmers with sustainable practices that enhance productivity, strengthen resilience to climate change, and promote community-driven learning.

Together, we are cultivating a future of sustainable and resilient agriculture 🌍

Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan
Agriculture Department KP

05/05/2026

LASOONA Islamic Microfinance Program

30/03/2026

17/03/2026

🌱 Spring 2026 Plantation Activity – Building Climate-Resilient Communities in Swat 🌿

We are pleased to share the successful launch of our Spring 2026 Plantation Activity in Village Gujjar Banr, VC Shinkoo, District Swat, where 11 hectares of fragile slopes and waterways are being rehabilitated to reduce soil erosion and land sliding risks.
With the technical guidance of the Forest Department, seven suitable native forest species were carefully selected for plantation to ensure long-term ecological sustainability.

This initiative is part of the “Climate Resilient WASH and Climate/Environmental Stewardship Project”, implemented in collaboration with Norwegian Church Aid (NCA).

🔍 Key Highlights:
📍 Plantation sites were technically assessed and jointly identified with the Forest Department and VDC to ensure local ownership and sustainability.
👷‍♂️ Prior to plantation, labor teams received proper orientation on pit size, plant spacing, and plantation techniques for healthy long-term plant growth.
🌿 Focus remains on restoring vulnerable landscapes and strengthening community resilience to climate change impacts.

This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship, community-driven action, and climate-resilient development in the region.

Kirkens Nødhjelp
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan

16/02/2026

🌿 Promoting Indigenous Flora & Traditional Foods for Sustainable Nutrition

LASOONA – Relief and Development Organization, under the BRIN II Project, successfully organized a one-day Dissemination Workshop in Swat to share groundbreaking research on the indigenous flora and traditional foods of the Malakand and Hazara divisions.

The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders—government departments, academia, civil society organizations, and local communities—creating a vibrant space for dialogue on the importance of preserving biodiversity, cultural heritage, and traditional food systems.

As part of this initiative, LASOONA partnered with the University of Swat and PCSIR to conduct a comprehensive scientific study focused on:
🔹 Mapping and identification of indigenous flora
🔹 Composite sampling and laboratory analysis
🔹 Nutritional profiling of selected species
🔹 Development of recipes using indigenous plants

This research is a significant step toward reviving, validating, and promoting local, nutrient-dense foods that have long supported the diets and well-being of communities across Malakand and Hazara.

In a time when communities face climate stresses, external shocks, and rising nutritional challenges, reintroducing indigenous foods offers a sustainable, culturally rooted pathway to resilience, better health, and dietary diversity.

The findings unveiled during the workshop highlight the incredible yet often overlooked potential of our natural landscapes—plants rich in nutrients, medicinal value, and culinary versatility.

By documenting and promoting these local resources, we are strengthening:
✨ Community awareness
✨ Local capacity
✨ Nutrition-sensitive practices
✨ Culturally relevant dietary solutions

This work aligns closely with our broader vision of integrating nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions while enhancing anticipatory and preparedness strategies at community and institutional levels.

The workshop served as an excellent platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and reaffirming our collective commitment to protecting and sustainably utilizing local biodiversity.

Together, we move toward healthier communities, resilient food systems, and a stronger connection to our natural heritage. 🌱

Welthungerhilfe
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan
UNICEF
University of Swat

04/02/2026

🌍 Strengthening Community-Led Climate Resilience in Swat!

Under the BRAVE Project, we are proud to share that Multi Hazards Community-Based Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (MHCCRVA) have been successfully completed in 70 villages across 14 Village Councils of Tehsil Bahrain, District Swat.

Through participatory tools and separate male and female community consultations, local communities identified key climate hazards, assessed their vulnerabilities, and developed context-specific Village and Village Council Climate Change Adaptation Plans.

✨ This achievement marks a significant milestone—
empowering local communities to better prepare for, respond to, and adapt to climate-related challenges.

By placing communities at the center of climate action, BRAVE Project is helping build a more resilient and climate-smart future for the people of Swat.

Welthungerhilfe
Concern Worldwide
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan

30/01/2026

🌦️ Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Safer Communities

LASOONA, under the BRAVE project successfully conducted a capacity‑building workshop in Swat focused on enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and anticipatory action planning.

The workshop brought together participants from line departments, civil society organizations, and local communities, creating a valuable platform to discuss existing EWS mechanisms, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for improvement.

Experts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) shared practical insights on how to deliver timely and actionable weather alerts to protect lives, livelihoods, and local infrastructure.

A key outcome of the workshop was the development of strategies to better connect communities with EWS, ensuring that early alerts reach those most at risk — quickly and effectively.

🔗 Strengthened coordination, informed communities, and improved preparedness are essential for building resilience.

This project is implemented in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide and financial support from FCDO.
We are grateful to all participants and partners for their active engagement and commitment to disaster risk reduction.

Welthungerhilfe
Concern Worldwide
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan

15/01/2026

LASOONA Launches Community Physical Infrastructure Schemes under BRAVE-North 2025 Flood Recovery Project

We are proud to announce the successful inauguration of Community Physical Infrastructure Schemes in District Buner under the "BRAVE-North 2025 Flood Recovery Project." The ceremony began with a traditional ribbon-cutting, followed by a formal declaration and an opening prayer to bless the initiative, followed by the presentation showcased the schemes' objectives, scope, key features, and the tangible benefits it will bring to the people of Buner.

A highlight of the event was the Manyari Welfare Organization Buner presenting an appreciation shield to the LASOONA Buner team, recognizing their unwavering commitment to community development.

The ceremony concluded with inspiring addresses from key stakeholders, including: Project Manager, Assistant Commissioners Gadazai and Tehsil Daggar.

This project is implemented by LASOONA in collaboration with Concern Worldwide and funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aiming to restore hope and resilience in flood-affected communities.

Together, we are building stronger, safer, and more sustainable futures for the people of Buner. 🌱

Concern Worldwide
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Government of Pakistan

14/01/2026

We're thrilled to share that the Inception Workshop for the BRAVE Project kicked off successfully in Swat! Implemented by LASOONA in collaboration with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Concern Worldwide, with financial support from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), this project is set to make a real impact in district Swat.

The workshop brought together representatives from district line departments and officials from provincial departments, including PDMA, DDMA, EPA, FSCRD, and the Agriculture Planning Cell. This collaboration is key to achieving our goals.

Together, we're strengthening partnerships and aligning objectives for effective project implementation. The BRAVE Project is committed to driving positive change and building resilience in the region 🌍.

Welthungerhilfe
Concern Worldwide
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

26/12/2025

Strengthening Community Resilience through Emergency Response Training

We are proud to share that a three-day Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) formation and capacity-building training was successfully conducted at VC Bashigram, Swat covering the villages of Kardyal, Kass, Tanghay Banda, Bashigram, and Bela.

With 10 members from each village, the training empowered local communities to respond effectively during emergencies. Facilitated by our project team in collaboration with Rescue 1122, the ERTs were organized into specialized committees:

✅ Early Warning
✅ Communication
✅ First Aid
✅ Search & Rescue
✅ Logistics & Support

On the final day, five ERT toolkits were handed over to strengthen community-level emergency response capacity.

This initiative is part of a project implemented by LASOONA in collaboration with NCA, reaffirming our commitment to building safer, more resilient communities.

Kirkens Nødhjelp
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
KP Rescue1122

23/12/2025

Flood Recovery Update: BRAVE-North Project in Buner, KP

LASOONA Relief and Development Organization, in partnership with Concern Worldwide and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is making strides in flood recovery efforts in Buner District, KP!

We're supporting 2,600 flood-affected families through integrated WASH, Livelihood, and Food Security interventions in Tehsil Gadezai.
Key activities include:
- Rehabilitating 10 drinking water supply schemes
- Hygiene promotion at community and school levels
- Rehabilitating 11 small-scale rural infrastructure schemes (pathways, irrigation channels, link roads, and culverts)

Achievements so far:
✔️ Target villages and communities selected
✔️ 21 infrastructure schemes identified, feasible, and selected
✔️ Hygiene promotion underway

Together, we're rebuilding lives and restoring hope in flood-affected areas!

Concern Worldwide
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan
PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa