In response to the long dry period, rising temperatures, and the impacts of El Niño on agricultural communities in Sindh's Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Dadu districts, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a cash assistance program under the ECHO PPP project. This initiative aimed to provide financial support to vulnerable households, helping them cope with the adverse climatic conditions and protect their livestock.

The FAO successfully distributed cash assistance in two installments to 2,836 beneficiaries across these districts. A total of 1836 households received PKR 40 000 (approximately $200 USD) each, while 1000 subsistence herder households received PKR 50 000 (approximately $250 USD) each. This latter amount included an additional PKR 10 000 (about $50 USD) as an animal feed subsidy.

The cash assistance served dual purposes: it provided immediate relief to help beneficiaries meet their essential needs and mitigated the impact of the severe dry periods and high temperatures on their livelihoods. Additionally, PKR 10 000 of the aid was specifically allocated for fodder support, addressing the challenge of reduced biomass availability and the significant rise in animal feed prices due to the prolonged drought.

Through this two-tranche cash distribution program, FAO, with the support of DG-ECHO, reinforced its commitment to bolstering the resilience of agricultural communities facing climate-related challenges. This financial assistance not only addressed immediate needs but also supported the long-term sustainability of livestock-based livelihoods, which are vital to the economic well-being of these communities.