Climate Crisis in Pakistan Overshadowed by Political Unrest
Sabiha Rajpoot
In the midst of Pakistan's ongoing political turmoil, the critical issue of
climate adaptation is taking a backseat, with the aftermath of last year's
devastating floods being overlooked.
Despite being recognized
as the world's largest disaster displacement event in the past decade, the
focus has shifted dramatically since the no-confidence motion against former
Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022.
Flood-Affected Population Left in the Shadows
Official updates on the state of the nearly eight million people displaced by
the floods ceased in November 2022, creating a transparency gap in
rehabilitation efforts. Pakistan had declared a need for USD 816 million in its
Floods Response Plan, but as of July 2023, only 67.7% of the plan has been funded.
This has resulted in severe consequences, including a concerning surge in food
insecurity, prompting designations of "very high concern" by the Food
and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.
The lack of attention to the flood-affected population is evident in the
absence of comprehensive periodic updates. Political unrest has diverted
resources and focus away from the urgent needs of those affected, leaving
millions, especially children living near stagnant water, at risk of water-borne
diseases and acute malnutrition.
Bad News in the Budget: Prioritizing Military Over Climate Action
The recently unveiled 2023-2024 fiscal budget reveals a disconcerting trend as
military spending sees a 16% increase, while the budget for the climate change
division is slashed by 58%. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
essential for disaster response, witnesses no increase in its annual funding.
Critical limitations persist, including a lack of flood telemetry systems,
weather stations, and disaster-management personnel.
Last year's special flood-response funding has been removed, and nature-based
climate solutions, such as the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami afforestation program
and the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood project, are discontinued or set to expire.
The misalignment of
budget priorities poses a significant threat to Pakistan's vulnerability in the
face of climate-induced threats.
Limited Time to Act: Hope Amidst Challenges
While challenges loom large, the Economic Survey 2022-2023 provides a glimmer
of hope. Growing allocations and utilization of funds for water, sanitation,
and hygiene (WASH) since 2018 are evident.
The approval of the
Climate Adaptation Plan and initiatives like the Living Indus Initiative,
bolstered by a Memorandum of Understanding with China, offer promising
prospects.
However, with less than half a year until COP28, political parties must find
common ground to cooperate on national priorities.
Demonstrating commitment
to protecting frontline communities impacted by the climate crisis is
imperative before Pakistan can rightfully demand climate reparations from
wealthier countries that pursued a polluting pathway to development.
This challenging intersection of political unrest and environmental crisis
underscores the urgent need for cohesive leadership and strategic allocation of
resources to address the pressing climate issues facing Pakistan.
