KARACHI:
In recent times, urban population has witnessed a tremendous growth. In the case of Pakistan, this growth has overwhelmingly included rural migration to informal settlements in and around cities, more commonly known as slums.
A slum is a densely-populated urban area with the following characteristics: poor quality housing, substandard infrastructure, inadequate access to safe water, and lack of proper sanitation, sewerage and basic facilities. Given such poor conditions, the living standards of these slum residents are quite horrific. It is in these areas that crime rate is high and numerous dangerous diseases are common. Therefore, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, malnutrition, measles, pneumonia, tuberculosis and stunted growth are heavily prevalent. The health status of women and children in these slums is also poor due to the lack of healthcare facilities. Women commonly suffer from anemia during pregnancy, leaving most children unimmunised. No wonder the infant mortality rate in Pakistan is high, with 67 children under five dying per 1000 live births, according to data published by World Bank.
However, it not just human beings who are suffering. Rather, the sustainability of the environment is also at stake. Environmental decay in a mega city such as Karachi is largely due to rapid urbanisation and the mismatch in the provision and maintenance of housing and infrastructure. In these areas the waste collection is poor so the amount of contamination is high. This means that slums have a detrimental effect on natural ecosystems as well. Their presence can contribute to environmental destruction and loss of natural resources along with water contamination, air pollution, traffic hazards and the amplification of heatwaves.
Shelter is a basic human right, and necessary steps should be taken by the government to ensure that this right is adequately provided. Only then can we prosper as a nation, both socially and economically.
Abdullah Bin Hamza
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, February 14th, 2021.
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