Environmental Degradation, Social Marginalization and the Institutional Dynamics of Vulnerability in the Case of Natural Disasters
The Dam, Disaster and the Military: The Politics of Disaster Response in Flood Yamin
Javed Ahmed Malik*
This paper will look at disaster responses by the military, international NGOs, civil society and local politicians during the recent floods in Baluchistan given its politically charged environment. By taking the case of district Kech, one of the most affected and far-flung district of Baluchistan (where a recently constructed Mirani dam further exacerbated the impacts of heavy rains resulting in massive devastation), the paper will attempt to explain the roles played by various actors in responding to the disaster.
Since the Pakistan Army was on a major public relationning project after sustained military operations in Baluchistan, their political intentions affected their disaster response activities, which subsequently undermined civilian capacities and local participation. International NGOs, including UN agencies, on other hand, made the overall response relatively expensive, albeit efficient especially during the relief period.
The responses to the environmental disaster embody the tensions of the State’s desperate urge to expand its writ and influence in increasingly isolated and under-developed communities, where identity politics is on the rise and civilian capacities are too weak to cope with any such disaster in the future. The paper, based on secondary review of relevant documents and qualitative field research, will try to show that:
- Disaster response is not politically neutral and therefore all actors should take account of the political dimensions during disaster assessment and management.
- The politics of disaster response enhance the transaction costs of implementation creating important field level hindrances.
- Natural disasters expose the politically motivated flawed development and rights deprivation picture of the regions, which in normal circumstances can be kept hidden from society.
 * Javed Malik is a Governance and Development Consultant based in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Effect of Policies and Institutions on the Disaster Vulnerability: A Case Study of Nepal
Surya Raj Joshi* and Nripal Adhikary**
More than the natural or anthropogenic factors, disasters in Nepal are aggravated by wrong policies. In the mountainous country of Nepal, it can be observed that the safe, fertile and productive lands are taken up by the people of upper class and caste; whereas the non-fertile, steep, degraded lands are given to the people of marginalized caste and class. In our study of two areas of Nepal--Rolpa and Syangja--first is the birthplace of Maoist insurgency and the latter a disaster-prone area inhabited by the marginalized caste. We examine the intimate dynamics of disaster and class/caste by focusing on historical processes, ground reality, institutional mechanism and changing socio-economic landscape. The study was conducted using household survey, case studies and group discussions in the study areas. A separate analytical study of the state policies, law and guidelines were also carried out to analyze the policy effect on disaster vulnerability. The result showed that there is a significant tripartite linkage between the state policies, disaster vulnerability and conflict. The findings can contribute to policy reform in order to accommodate the marginalized caste and class in the state legal framework, reduce disaster vulnerability and minimize conflict.
* Surya Raj Joshi is a masters’ student in Human and Natural Studies Centre at the Kathmandu University, Balkumari, Nepal.
 ** Nripal Adhikary is a masters’ student in Human and Natural Studies Centre at the Kathmandu University, Balkumari, Nepal. PO box 6250.
Rights Based Strategies for Disaster Management: Evidence from Flood Emergency Response in Sindh, Pakistan
Fateh M. Marri*
An emergency1 situation is one where the essentials of a dignified life such as water, shelter, food, security, health and livelihoods are lacking, and disaster coping mechanisms inadequate. It can also be defined as a situation when a hazard is more intense than peoples’ capacity to survive. Emergencies can occur due to conflicts and wars or due to natural disasters like floods, droughts, cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis.
The hardships endured by people are greater during the relatively shorter periods of emergencies, as compared to those suffered during longer, normal periods. Traumas suffered during these intense times continue to affect people long after the events are over. “Different groups of people are affected differently and have different recovery patterns, and among these groups the poorest and most marginalized have the least capacity to cope with the problems they face” (ActionAid, 2003). Different approaches are employed to help survivors during emergencies. The initial concept of assistance in any difficult situation originated from the concept of charity where those who can afford to, extend support out of sympathy and, since there is no right holder or duty bearer, responsibility, accountability and transparency is voluntary.
An approach, which combines meeting imperatives, setting program priorities and addressing structural causes of vulnerability, poverty and marginalization, is called a Rights Based Approach (RBA)2 . “The key component of a Rights Based Approach is participation of people affected by emergencies, particularly the most vulnerable groups… to promote their right to participate and right to influence the decisions that affect them in the planning, as well as implementation” (ActionAid, 2003). This approach avoids treating people affected by emergencies simply as victims, rather considers them as right holders. The second component of RBA is that the individuals, families and communities have the capacity required to confront the impact of the crisis and to overcome it. “Therefore, in respecting this fact, programs are designed to reinforce local capacities and resources. At the same time, the approach seeks to increase the capacity of those who are responsible for emergency preparedness and response” (ActionAid, 2003).
This paper focuses on the flood emergency response projects and programs in different districts of Sindh in general, and that of ActionAid Pakistan in particular. Further, the paper addresses the structural causes of disasters in the selected districts of Sindh and suggests policy recommendations and program initiatives for enhancing community capacities and reducing vulnerabilities.
Reference:
ActionAid (2003), ‘ActionAid International Emergency Strategy 2003-06,’ Nepal: ActionAid International. Available from:
http://www.actionaid.org/docs/emergency_strategy_0306.pdf
* Fateh M. Mari is an agricultural and environmental economist. Presently he is working as Area Program Manager, Actionaid Pakistan at Area Office Karachi, Pakistan.
1The definition of emergency has been taken from the Emergency Guidelines Rights Based Approach of ActionAid Pakistan.
2The description of Rights Based Approach has been taken from the Emergency Guidelines Rights Based Approach of ActionAid Pakistan.
Disaster-Development Linkages in Pakistan
Moeed Yusuf*
Development or lack thereof is entwined with the affect a disaster inflicts in its realm. More than 95% of all disaster related deaths take place in developing countries and losses incurred are 20 times higher on average. The excessive damage from natural disasters in the developing world is in large part attributable to the lack of resources, incoherent disaster management plans, lack of institutionalization of management mechanisms, inadequate implementation of various disaster related policies, and most importantly unsustainable development practices that leave both the infrastructure as well as the local communities vulnerable to disasters. The last concern strikes at the heart of the disaster-development debate, which traces disasters back to the kind of development practices employed by a country.
The objective of this paper is to explore the disaster-development linkage in Pakistan. It examines the development pattern of the state and the institutionalized framework put in place for disaster management. The aim is to identify the extent to which disaster mitigation has been internalized in Pakistan’s development agenda. The author argues that despite being a disaster prone country, till of late, Pakistan’s development strategies did not include disaster management as a direct concern. The lack of any holistic approach to disaster management on paper is compounded by the fact that development priorities seldom take sustainability into account. The interplay of a number of institutional dynamics and the outright concern for ‘mega-development’ has created perverse incentives for use of unsustainable practices, and has thus left poor communities even more vulnerable to natural disasters. While the 2005 earthquake has jump-started the process of revision in the traditional outlook, there is still no drive towards internalizing integrated assessment of development plans and building long-term capacity for disaster management. The paper recommends means to plan and incorporate these into the overarching sustainable development agenda.
 * Moeed Yusuf is a Graduate Fellow at the Fredrick L. Pardee Center for the study of the Longer Range Future at the Boston University and a Visiting Associate at SDPI.
“Hazard Risk Management”, World Bank
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