By Naseer Ahmed Channa, CEO, Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB[1]), and Saeed Ullah Khan, Director, GLOW Consultants Private Limited[2]

Introduction

Sibi, a historic town in the heart of Balochistan, has long endured scorching summers. However, climate change has escalated this seasonal challenge into a recurring humanitarian crisis. With temperatures frequently soaring beyond 48°C and little rainfall year-round, Sibi is now one of the most heat-vulnerable regions in Pakistan. These conditions strain already fragile infrastructure and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations—particularly outdoor laborers, women, children, and the elderly. For many residents, who lack access to reliable electricity, clean water, or healthcare, heatwaves are more than a discomfort—they are a life-threatening hazard. Outdoor workers cannot afford to stop during peak heat hours, children suffer from dehydration, the elderly endure extreme indoor temperatures, and local health facilities struggle to manage the surge in heat-related illnesses.

The Project: Community-Driven Climate Resilience

To address this urgent crisis, the Bright Star Development Society Balochistan (BSDSB), with support from Start Network/Ready Pakistan, launched a heatwave preparedness initiative in Sibi. The objective was clear: raise public awareness, build community capacity, and strengthen systems to protect lives during extreme heat events.

The project was implemented in two phases—Preparedness and Anticipatory Actions—the initiative also included emergency response elements. The first phase focused on a wide-reaching awareness campaign across the district. Activities included community sessions, local-language radio and TV talk shows, distribution of educational materials, and contingency planning workshops. These initiatives ensured communities understood the risks of heatwaves, how to recognise symptoms, and how to take precautions.

Further, BSDSB established cooling stations in public areas and heat stroke centres within government health facilities. Since Sibi is a regional hub with busy markets, hospitals, and government offices, these facilities served a large population. While the original goal was to reach 51,120 individuals, BSDSB ultimately impacted over 100,000 people through these integrated interventions.

About the Research

To better understand community perceptions, knowledge, and preparedness in the face of intensifying heatwaves, BSDSB and GLOW Consultants conducted a research focusing heatwave preparedness project in Sibi, supported by Start Network/Ready Pakistan. The study was designed not only to assess the outcomes of community-level interventions but also to generate lessons that could inform future anticipatory action in similar high-risk areas. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to ensure both depth and breadth in understanding the issue. The data collection through Quantitative structured surveys with 101 community members, Qualitative data was gathered through eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), 16 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with local government officials, healthcare providers, and community leaders to gain institutional perspectives on operational challenges, gaps in service delivery, and recommendations for strengthening response systems.

Key Findings: Gaps, Gains, and Grassroots Resilience

The research conducted in Sibi, Balochistan, revealed both encouraging progress and pressing challenges in the community’s ability to respond to extreme heat. One of the most important takeaways is that community-based awareness campaigns can significantly improve heatwave preparedness—but only when tailored to the local context and paired with accessible services.

Key Recommendations and Learning

The heatwave preparedness and Anticipatory Actions project in Sibi offers vital lessons for scaling anticipatory action in other climate-vulnerable regions. While community awareness improved significantly through locally led interventions, the study also highlighted clear areas where support systems and policy responses must evolve to ensure lasting resilience. Additionally, few recommendations are including Strengthen Early Warning Dissemination, Improve Physical Capability through Services and Supplies, Promote Gender-Inclusive and Community-Led Outreach, Offer Incentives for Protective Behavior, Foster Behavioral Change through Trusted Local Actors, Institutionalise Heatwave Resilience Planning.

Learning from the project confirms that when communities are equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and support, they can take meaningful action—even under extreme conditions. However, resilience requires more than awareness—it demands enabling environments, inclusive policies, and equitable access to services. The Sibi experience shows that local leadership is not just effective—it is indispensable in confronting the growing humanitarian crisis of heatwaves.

To conclude, in the face of rising temperatures and systemic inequities, local leadership must be recognised not only as effective—but essential.

[1] Bright Star Development Society Balochistan is a non profit, non political and National Humanitarian organisation. BSDSB has been working for the last 25 years in Sibi and other selected Districts of Balochistan, Pakistan.

[2] GLOW Consultants Private Limited is a specialised research firm working in the humanitarian and development space, with a niche in localisation and related fields.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of AIDMI.