The Ismaili Imamat and AKF donate €‎1.5 million to support reconstruction efforts in Portugal

The investment will support reconstruction efforts following devastating winter storms across Portugal

Climate Resilience

Aga Khan Foundation | 16 February 2026

Institutions led by His Highness the Aga Khan, including AKF, will donate €1.5 million to support reconstruction and revitalisation in areas of Portugal most affected by the devastating storms in recent weeks.

Over the past few weeks Portugal has been hit by a sequence of intense winter storms — starting with Storm Kristin’s record winds and flooding in late January, followed by Storm Leonardo’s heavy rain that triggered deadly floods and mass evacuations, and most recently Storm Marta bringing fresh torrential downpours and further disruption.

The impacts have included multiple fatalities, widespread flooding, evacuations of thousands, major infrastructure damage (including collapse of part of the main Lisbon–Porto motorway) and a state of calamity declared in many municipalities.

A photo of flooding captured by AKF Portugal's CEO, Karim Merali.

This financial contribution will be used in part to support students and their families, as well as to strengthen educational structures, helping schools to resume normal operations in safe conditions.

The creation of microforests and green spaces that contribute to the stabilisation of the ecosystem will also be a focus of this investment, to strengthen long-term climate resilience in affected areas.

The implementation of the aid program approved by the Ismaili Imamat will be carried out by AKF in Portugal, in close coordination with the government and national and local authorities.