Attachments
Citation
Khalid, S.; Hafeez, M.; Junaid, N.; Aeman, H. 2024. Navigating climate change, disasters and displacement in Pakistan: a case study of Rahim Yar Khan. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration. 73p.
Abstract/Description
Pakistan faces a multitude of environmental, social and economic challenges that pose a serious threat to its stability and development. Natural hazards, exacerbated by climate change, have become increasingly frequent and severe in the last three decades, leading to growing extreme weather events such as floods, drought and heatwaves. Disasters strain already limited resources, disrupt livelihoods, and displace millions, further complicating the country’s socio-economic landscape. These environmental challenges are compounded by socio-political tensions, economic instability and security concerns. Against this backdrop, climate-induced migration and disaster displacement (or forced migration)1 – an understudied phenomenon in Pakistan - is becoming a growing reality that the government, humanitarian actors, donors, and both sending and receiving communities, must contend with as part of their disaster management strategies, including implementing anticipatory action (AA) measures, or proactive action to be taken before a disaster strikes, usually based on forecasts and early warnings, and including pre-arranged financing.
Additionally, Pakistan’s rapid population growth and urbanization continues to increase pressure on food, land and water systems (FLWS), leading to heightened competition for these vital resources. The most marginalized groups in society, especially women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, bear the brunt of these multidimensional crises. Governance issues, including inefficiencies in disaster management, poor implementation of policies, limited data and information in the water and climate sectors, and weak infrastructure, further exacerbate the country's vulnerabilities. Pakistan is at a crossroads and facing critical decisions that will shape its future amidst an array of interlinked pressures. At this pivotal moment, Pakistan must learn from its (mis)management of past disasters and adopt holistic strategies to advance disaster resilience, improve governance, strengthen FLWS and promote gender equitable, and socially inclusive and people-centered solutions. Implementing AA measures in Pakistan could be pivotal in mitigating the effects of climate-induced hazards and reducing the impact on migration and displacement.
Under the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict and Migration (FCM), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pakistan conducted a comprehensive research case study in Rahim Yar Khan (RYK), a disasterprone district (and host community to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants from neighboring areas) in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Floods are a commonly reoccurring phenomenon in the district, which has experienced frequent floods and heavy rains in the past two decades (PDMA 2022). After disastrous floods in 2010, the Punjab (provincial) government even established 3 model villages (housing schemes) across the district to support flood-affected families who lost their homes, and these are still functioning today.
The focus of the current case study was the 2022 floods and the related events and response leading up to the floods, and immediately afterward. The purpose was to: i) identify the vulnerabilities of climate-displaced households; ii) assess how disasters increase stress on FLWS; and iii) synthesize recommendations for improving disaster resilience and AA in Pakistan. The study included a detailed survey covering the themes of livelihoods, water and food insecurity, migration challenges, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and pre- and post- migration changes in wealth. The quantitative survey was supplemented with focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant disaster management government, academia and humanitarian actors working on the ground (at the district, provincial and federal levels) for purposes of triangulation. Additionally, complementary biophysical data such as precipitation levels and water quality across the district were also obtained through IWMI Pakistan’s research activities under the CGIAR initiative on NEXUS Gains.