Social Response to the Catastrophes Associated With Floods in District Jafferabad, Balochistn (A Case Study of 2022 Floods)

Abstract

The ―Social Response to the catastrophes associated with floods in District Jafferabad, Balochistan (a case study of 2022 floods)‖ is the result of three months of fieldwork that investigates the Indigenous capacities & knowledge of the people in the wake of 2022 floods along with the factors that influence the community development during and after the catastrophe. I interacted with the locals of two villages, Samatkot and Sikander Khan Jimali in UC Tajpur, district Jafferabad. Both the villages had been considerably affected by the floods. A qualitative research methodology was used for this ethnographic study employing various sampling methods. Most of the informal discussions and some indepth interviews were conducted using the convenient sampling method, however for Focus Group Discussion and additional in-depth interviews, particularly of relevant stakeholders such as Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) workers, UN officials, government officials, health and law enforcement authorities, purposive sampling was done. The case studies were collected as a result of snowball sampling. To clarify the research concerns, qualitative approaches such as participant observation, informal discussions, key informant interviews, case studies and in-depth interviews were performed. The research revealed that although there is a commendable willingness to help each other during the disasters, there is a notable lack of organized comprehension and proactive readiness. The response was therefore more reactive than proactive. This vulnerability is exacerbated by insufficient infrastructure and weak early warning systems, impending the community’s capacity to overcome difficulties. The narratives preceding floods highlight the inadequate readiness for potential disasters, with a significant emphasis on regular activities rather than proactive precautions. The community’s response is marked by a collective incapacity to provide significant assistance, as evidenced by economic and non-economic losses. Gender dynamics during the response phase become a crucial area of focus, revealing the increased risks that women face as a result of socioeconomic inequalities. Gender based violence is a significant concern during the emergency response phase. Power imbalances intensify vulnerabilities, as feudal lords exacerbate destruction, exposing underlying systematic problems, The economic hardships following the floods reveal the landlords’ focus on their own interests, which further exacerbates the financial struggles faced by the resident of UC Tajpur. Due to the constraints of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in terms of their operational presence there is a considerable delay and inefficiency during the initial flood response phase. The absence of governmental assistance results in the increased dependence of community on local institutions such as civil society, faith based organisations and the private sector. Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices were instrumental in the community’s response. Conventional support systems, transmitted via familial connections, enhance the ability to recover from adversity. However, difficulties emerged when the allocation of resources resulted in conflict within families. Ethnicity exerted an impact on coping strategies while media played a crucial role by depending on official sources for information, but encountered biases and difficulty in reporting.