Thoughts on post-flood recovery

Solutions only come from within, through consistent engagement, civil society and affected communities.

Disasters bring abrupt destruction but they also create opportunity for development. Pakistan was hit hard by the floods in 2010 but it has learnt from the AJK/Khyper-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) post-earthquake reconstruction lessons that it is possible to discover hope from within the rubble and overcome the challenge: build back better and safer. The brave have to cease the moment to transform the affected areas into a development ground for rebuilding a safer and prosperous Pakistan. This could be the moment that the most vulnerable, exposed by the floods, could be brought out of absolute misery and into a decent living. But this needs a strong desire and will, in addition to goals and plans.

It is a pity that the reconstruction discussion appears to be fading in the public domain. Solutions can only come from within, through consistent engagement among authorities, civil society and affected communities. Whilst in post-earthquake reconstruction it was possible to ensure ‘build back better’ in the rural housing sector through an inspection and assistance regime in AJK/KP, the task is now different and harder with the Watan card scheme: this time the affected communities must be persuaded and convinced to build back better and safer. Moreover, they need technical guidance and support to achieve that goal. This is a major issue that needs to be debated among stakeholders.

Another important area of attention is sowing the seeds of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the culture of communities and officials at all levels. There is need to undertake serious awareness campaigns and instil policy change to position DRR as an essential element of strategies and programmes for adaptation and development. Pakistan is prone to various disasters and recent experience demonstrates all too well how vulnerable it is. The establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is clearly in recognition of the need to address, inter alia, the DRR. With disasters also occurring due to climate change and the higher levels of risk that Pakistan is faced with, the NDMA and its provincial branches are in urgent need of political, technical and financial support. The NDMA, as well as provincial disaster management authorities, need backing to ensure that risk reduction considerations are integrated into all recovery efforts.

The post-flood reconstruction cost throughout the affected areas is enormous by all standards. It is certainly a daunting question for authorities at all levels on how to fund the reconstruction. The international community will surely assist Pakistan with the endeavour. But donor contributions will be limited. Again, this is an opportunity for more self-reliance and an inward-looking approach, which I submit is in the national interest of Pakistan. However, while efforts go on to mobilise financial resources, efforts should also take place to mobilise the affected communities for improved and safer self-recovery.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2010.