Unprepared for disasters

Government seems oblivious to climate change

The ongoing torrential rains are the outcome of the climate change that Pakistan has yet to acquire the capability to cope with. The mega floods in 2010 affected 21 million people leaving nearly 2,000 dead while inundating a third of Pakistan. Tens of thousands of people had to live in emergency camps for months. Two years later, rains and floods once again caused widespread havoc. According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the recent rains have led to 80 deaths, mostly in South West and Northwest of the country that includes Balochistan, KP and AJK.

By now it should have become clear to those in power that the changes in weather pattern are not a temporary phenomenon but a long term headache. Little has however been done so far to acquire the ability to reduce the impact of climate change. The NDMA which was created in the wake of the earthquake in 2005 is unable to handle any major disaster, particularly one with a widespread impact.

The problem with the ruling parties is that they are fully concentrated on projects that can fetch them votes in the next elections. Long gestation projects that involve creation of adequate response systems and strengthening of existing institutions find no place on the governments’ agenda. Whenever there is a natural disaster, the governments respond reactively. The stock response is to call in the army and seek international help. Acute problems that cannot be resolved through such responses are already manifesting themselves. Water shortage is one of these. This would aggravate with the ongoing fast depletion of subsoil water and melting of glaciers caused by rising temperatures. There are no institutions or think tanks assigned the task of working out solutions for the existing problems as well as those likely to emerge in days to come. The population time bomb continues to tick without anyone in the ruling circles displaying the least concern about it. The common man will have to pay the price for the lack of vision in political leadership.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/03/21/comment/unprepared-for-disasters/