KARACHI’s HIDDEN HAZARD: WHEN “JUST A PAINT JOB” ISN’T ENOUGH
In the heart of our city Karachi a deeply troubling pattern is unfolding. Buildings officially declared non-suitable for residence are still being occupied, sometimes simply “rescued” with a fresh coat of paint and some new cement. The reality? This is a dangerous practice, and one that risks far more than aesthetics. The Alarming Numbers The […]
POVERTY & CLIMATE HAZARDS: HOW OVERLAPPING CRISES DEEPEN HARDSHIP IN PAKISTAN
A Nation at the Crossroads of Climate and Inequality Few countries illustrate the human cost of overlapping crises more starkly than Pakistan. Ranked among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions yet it is paying one of the highest prices. Climate disasters […]
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF LOCAL RESPONDERS IN KARACHI’S DISASTERS
Karachi, a megacity of over 20 million people, stands at the frontline of Pakistan’s climate and urban emergencies. From urban floods and building collapses to heatwaves and fires, disasters here strike fast and often without warning. In these crucial first moments, it is rarely official teams who arrive first; it is local responders: neighbors, volunteers, […]
WHY LOCAL RESPONDERS REACH BEFORE AMBULANCE OR GOVERNMENT TEAMS
In every emergency. whether it is a fire, a traffic accident, a flood, or a sudden collapse, one truth remains constant: the first person to respond is rarely a professional rescuer. It is almost always a neighbor, a passerby, a shopkeeper, or a family member. While ambulances and government teams play an essential role, they […]
THE ROLE OF YOUTH AND WOMEN IN COMMUNITY-BASED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
In recent years, the frequency and intensity of disasters, both natural and human-induced, have highlighted the urgent need for inclusive, community-based disaster preparedness. Across urban and peri-urban areas of Pakistan, especially in vulnerable settlements, the importance of empowering citizens with life-saving knowledge has become undeniably clear.Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is no longer a field reserved […]
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR RURAL WOMEN: STRENGTHENING RESILIENCE TO FLOOD DISASTERS IN PAKISTAN
By Ali Sohaib | Emergency Response & Disaster Risk Specialist Every year on October 15, the world observes the International Day for Rural Women, honoring the indispensable contributions of women in rural areas to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development. From global plains to Asian villages, rural women are the backbone of food production, biodiversity […]
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
By Ali Sohaib | Emergency Response & Disaster Risk SpecialistEvery year on 13 October, the world observes the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) to highlight the importance of reducing the risks and impacts of disasters. This day reminds us that disasters are not only about natural hazards, such as floods, earthquakes, heatwaves, or […]
URBAN HAZARDS IN KARACHI: HOW COMMUNITY TRAINING BUILDS A SAFER CITY
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest metropolitan city, is a complex urban landscape where more than 20 million people live amid intersecting environmental, technological, and social risks. From urban flooding to fires, building collapses to industrial accidents, Karachi’s vulnerabilities are deeply rooted in rapid urbanization, weak infrastructure, and limited public awareness about disaster preparedness. In such an environment, […]
VULNERABLE POPULATION IN KARACHI DISASTERS
By Ali Sohaib | Emergency Response & Disaster Risk Specialist Karachi is a city of strength, yet it remains deeply vulnerable when disaster strikes. Among its 20.4 million people, those who suffer the most during urban crises are often the least visible: differently-abled persons, women in informal settlements, and marginalized households living on the edges […]
WHY KARACHI FLOODS EVERY YEAR: THE HUMANITARIAN COST OF URBAN NEGLECT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Every monsoon season, Karachi faces the same devastating reality: widespread flooding, collapsed infrastructure, and thousands displaced from their homes. The city, home to over 22 million residents, continues to flood year after year due to a combination of urban mismanagement, outdated drainage systems, and intensifying climate threats