Analysis of Susceptibilities, Capacities of Local Communities, Disaster Management Structures, Policies and Institutions in Pakistan: A case of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

Abstract

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is among the major disaster-prone areas of Pakistan. Disasters largely affect people resulting in loss of economy. Therefore, disaster risk reduction mechanism at community level is essential to minimize damage. The objective of this paper is two folds. Firstly, it analyzes the institutional framework in Pakistan for disaster management and specific disaster management policies. Secondly, this paper was designed to develop an in-depth understanding of the key challenges that the communities of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan face in the wake of constantly reoccurring disasters. This paper is based on field visits. House-hold surveys, observations, key informant interviews and group discussions were conducted to analyze the preparedness, both at community and organizational levels. The findings point out that disaster management policies and mechanisms regarding preparedness are not implemented by both federal and state authorities at local level. Further, the local communities of AJK, Pakistan are susceptible to different kind of hazards related to disasters. The paper reveals that available federal/state mechanism of disasters do not meet the needs of community. All of the stakeholders that include federal government institutions, state government institutions and local communities are not prepared. Thus, communities are continuously getting affected by natural disasters. The paper suggests that there is a dire need to improve the coordination between state and national agencies. Further, there is need to enhance community preparedness specifically in AJK, Pakistan to upgrade community’s defensive and awareness mechanism to safeguard citizens’ lives in response to seismic emergency.