Pakistan 2025 Monsoon Floods - Summary Report: After Action Review - Lessons Learned Survey (December 2025)

1. Executive Summary

The Pakistan 2025 Floods After Action Review survey, with 49 respondents from various organizations including NGOs, INGOs, a UN agency, and a government body, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of flood response efforts across the provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Sindh. The survey covered critical areas such as contingency planning, anticipatory action, response, coordination, information and assessment, resources, and lessons learned, gathering a total of 3,004 comments. This comprehensive review sought to identify both the strengths and weaknesses in the flood response to enhance future disaster management strategies.

Overall, the response demonstrated notable improvements compared to previous flood emergencies, particularly in contingency planning, early warning dissemination, anticipatory action, and inter-agency coordination. Pre-established preparedness measures and anticipatory actions contributed to reduced loss of life and enabled faster mobilization of assistance. OCHA’s field presence played a central role in strengthening coordination, facilitating information sharing, and aligning humanitarian activities with government priorities.

A major finding from the survey was the effectiveness of contingency planning and preparedness, particularly in Punjab, where respondents noted that pre-established protocols significantly mitigated the impact of the floods. Several organizations highlighted the successful implementation of anticipatory actions, such as early warning systems, which were crucial in minimizing casualties. However, the need for improved coordination was a recurring theme, with many respondents emphasizing that overlapping responsibilities and communication gaps between agencies hindered the overall response. The importance of timely and accurate information was also underscored, with respondents from Sindh expressing concerns about delayed assessments that affected resource allocation.

Differences in feedback were evident across organization types and provinces. NGOs, particularly those operating in KP, praised community engagement efforts, noting that local knowledge was instrumental in tailoring responses to specific needs. In contrast, INGOs pointed out the challenges in resource mobilization and distribution, especially in remote areas. The UN agency respondent emphasized the need for a more unified approach to coordination, suggesting that a centralized command structure could streamline efforts across different regions.

Priority recommendations emerging from the survey include enhancing inter-agency communication and coordination frameworks to prevent duplication of efforts and ensure efficient resource deployment to underserved remote areas. Respondents also advocated for the expansion of anticipatory action measures, such as improved forecasting technologies and community-based preparedness programs. Additionally, there was a call for increased investment in infrastructure resilience, particularly in flood-prone areas of Punjab and Sindh, to better withstand future disasters. These insights and recommendations provide a roadmap for strengthening Pakistan's disaster response capabilities in the face of increasingly frequent and severe flooding events.