KARACHI:
The recent floods across have revealed the government’s poor management and negligent planning. Despite being aware of the emerging climate threats and predictions of heavy rains, no pre-emptive measures were taken. Instead of forming a coordinated response and asking for relief from the international community and the Pakistani people, our politicians have continued to forward their own political agendas.
The speedy and steady response of non-governmental and social welfare organisations is worth appreciating. They responded to the crisis by immediately dispatching relief teams to rescue stranded citizens and take them to safe areas. Many philanthropic individuals and organisations undertook the effort to collect donations and provide the flood victims with both financial assistance as well as necessary items. Even though the state has better apparatus and means to cater to the victims, civil society has shown more humility than our elected representatives. The tragic fate of the five brothers who could have easily been rescued by the state exposed the priorities of our political leaders.
The flooding and displacement are just the beginning of the crisis that Pakistan will suffer in the coming months. Food prices will skyrocket, a disease outbreak, rural to urban migration, and malnourishment among others will further strain the country’s limping economy. Considering Pakistan’s carbon emissions are less than 1%, the international community must contribute and help us recover from the floods. They must provide Pakistan with long-term assistance to rebuild the infrastructure and combat future climate threats. Besides donating, civil society should demand action from their political representatives. The recent catastrophe is both terrifying and devastating, we must not act as bystanders and do everything to avoid another such calamity.
Jauhar Abbas
Kohat
Published in The Express Tribune, August 30th, 2022.
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