Rehabilitation of 2010 Flood Affectees in Pakistan: The Role of Development Partners

Abstract

Pakistan was hit by catastrophic floods in 2010, which inundated infrastructure spread over 100,000 sq kms and affected over 20 million people with large scale displacement. The study explored the impact of floods on the lives of people; especially their livelihoods and gauged the extent to which the donors contributed towards restoration of livelihoods of the flood affected population. This was substantiated through a case study undertaken in Nowshera District, Pakistan, which was amongst the worst hit areas during 2010 floods. The study used qualitative research tools to make an in-depth analysis by gathering facts from the affectees and validating it through the published reports. Semi-structured interviews were held with the government functionaries, affected population and donor officials. The findings indicate that almost seventy percent of the population received the Watan Card, which helped them in resettling and rehabilitating their livelihoods but the rest thirty percent were unhappy as they thought that the amount was not sufficient to re-activate their livelihoods.