Pakistan 2010 floods. Policy gaps in disaster preparedness and response

The 2010 floods have caused widespread devastation of farmland, livestock, infrastructure, businesses, homes, and impacted 18 million people. The majority of these people were already living in abject poverty; some illegally residing in the floodplains of the river Indus. During the floods, households were stripped of their entire means of livelihood and their dignity. The government and the international community provided short-term relief responses and interventions to restore livelihoods. Based on interviews conducted with key Punjab government officials and lessons drawn from experiences of flood prevention, disaster recovery and rehabilitation, policy responses for recovery and reconstruction have been recommended that can be translated into long-term sustainable development goals. This study reveals several institutional gaps and regulatory weaknesses that prevail in disaster preparedness and response. In order to reduce vulnerability to extreme climate shocks, the government needs to enact legislation that regulates floodplains, introduce productivity enhancing safety nets, seed systems interventions, public works programs for creating employment opportunities, cash transfers, livestock protection, institutional reforms and adopt effective flood prevention policies. More important, the government needs to make disaster response and preparedness a national priority.