Empowering Communities to cope Flood Risk: Learning from Flood affected Community in Narowal District, Pakistan

Abstract

Community empowerment plays a significant role in adapting and organizing flood risks and impacts. The flood impacts the livelihood, infrastructure, production system and sustainable development. The flood in 2014 has severely affected the Narowal district and has put a momentous impact on the communities residing in those places. The six most affected villages in Narowal were selected for this research study. The data was collected by conducting field surveys followed by structured interviews in study area. This study was carried out to assess the role of government institutions and to evaluate the status of community empowerment. The structured interviews were conducted with the officials of the various institutions and 121 affected respondents were identified to conduct the primary survey. This study concluded that more than 42% respondents did not leave home because of the nonavailability of the shelter point. More than 75% respondents were dissatisfied with the efforts of government during a flood. This study inferred that 9.09% and 67.77% respondents were highly dissatisfied and dissatisfied respectively with the efforts of the Government during flood in empowering communities to cope with flood risk. The government institutions should take suitable actions to comprehend the issues of the communities to bring them in sustainable trends.