Household vulnerability to floods and cyclones in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, floods and cyclones have caused widespread human and socio-economic losses. Individual households with same exposure but varying capabilities are increasingly faced with challenges to reduce, cope, or recover from the impacts. Managing risks effectively need an understanding of the factors that drive people's underlying vulnerabilities and worsening the impacts at household level. In this paper, using vulnerability index approach (a function of exposure, susceptibility, and resilience), household vulnerability to cyclones and floods was assessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), province of Pakistan. Data was collected from 300 households within KP province and from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, KP. Using subjective weighing method (based on expert judgment) weights were assigned to the indicators for developing vulnerability indices. Results of the composite vulnerability indices indicated that in all the surveyed sites households were highly vulnerable and less resilient to the impacts of floods and cyclonic storms. Building type and location, dependent population, illiteracy, unemployment, and weak economic capacity were identified as major factors driving household's vulnerability. The study findings can inform the government and decision makers to strengthen the physical and socio-economic indicators by improving risk reduction strategies and ensuring effective utilization of resources to reduce the vulnerabilities and impacts in future.