Abstract Book of the 8th World Conference on Social Sciences
Year: 2025
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When Systems Fail but People Prevail: A Comparative Study of Pakistan’s 2010 And 2022 Flood Management
Zarrish Ahmed
ABSTRACT:
What constitutes effective disaster management in Pakistan’s socio-political context? This study interrogates the unexpected disjuncture between institutional preparedness, international solidarity, and the lived experiences of flood victims in Pakistan’s 2010 and 2022 catastrophic floods. Despite significant advancements in national disaster management capabilities, including the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and improved technological predictive infrastructure, international aid dramatically decreased from $3 billion in 2010 to $300 million in 2022, presenting a critical analytical puzzle. I argue that proximate humanitarian assistance — visible, tangible aid and immediate relief measures — constitutes more effective disaster management in Pakistan than technological advancements or sophisticated systems that often fail to reach affected communities. The gap between institutional capabilities and implementation means direct aid delivery, clear communication, and community-centered approaches better address immediate needs and public expectations. Through a comparative case study approach, I analyze four semi-structured interviews with Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Ministry of Water Resources officials, twelve in-depth interviews with flood survivors from both disasters, and four official reports from key institutions. Using thematic and comparative policy analysis, I triangulate perspectives to evaluate Pakistan’s disaster management evolution across multiple dimensions — shelter provision, health services, emergency relief, and international humanitarian assistance. This research challenges prevailing disaster management paradigms that prioritize technological solutions over human-centered approaches. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of disasters worldwide, my findings carry urgent implications for international development policy, humanitarian aid allocation, and institutional design in vulnerable regions. By demonstrating how technocratic advances without corresponding ground-level implementation create a dangerous illusion of preparedness, this study provides a crucial corrective to disaster management frameworks in Global South contexts. Beyond academic significance, these insights offer practical guidance for policymakers, aid organizations, and communities navigating the growing gap between disaster management theory and the lived realities of climate catastrophe.
Keywords: disaster management, international aid, climate change, global south