The 2010 Pakistan floods called for the largest ever humanitarian appeal from the United Nations, with over 20 million people affected and nearly 1.8 million houses damaged or destroyed. The floods of August 2011 further affected 5 million people and damaged over 800,000 houses. The immediate emergency shelter response was largely effective and avoided any major calamity, thanks to the efforts, support and resilience of both the affected and host communities. However, in excess of 30 percenti of the affected communities are still in need of durable shelter. The provision of 1.8 million shelter solutions within a short span of time is an exceptionally challenging task unless state and humanitarian actors rethink the way shelter assistance is provided.