Country Profile
Population: 231.9 Million (2021)
Major Threats: Floods, Drought, Social Issues (Terrorism, Territorial Conflict, Poverty, Health, Nutrition, Hygiene)
Populations Affected: Urban a Rural Communities
Locations Affected: Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Industries Affected: Agriculture, Infrastructure
Compounding Issues: Human Security, Poverty, Water Resources, Glaciers Threats, Livelihoods, Reforestation
World Risk Index Ranking: 85
Global Climate Risk Index: 15 (2021)
Pakistan shares its borders with Afghanistan and Iran to the west, while India and China border it to the east. Since gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan has grappled with a long history of conflicts and violence. Additionally, the country faces annual floods, primarily during the monsoon seasons, and the worsening climate situation is increasing the severity of these disasters. Unfortunately, communities are not adequately prepared to cope with these challenges. In July 2022, heavy rainfall resulted in devastating floods, claiming the lives of over 1,000 people, including children, and displacing more than 500,000 to temporary shelters. The majority of Pakistan’s population resides along the Indus River, which played a significant role in causing the 2022 flood.
Some areas have remained submerged for months, and those in shelters endure various conditions, including diarrhea, skin infections, and malaria.
Pakistan’s economy heavily relies on exports, including mining products and fossil fuels for energy, which are essential for its economic stability. Reduced demand for mining products has led to increased inflation, higher public debt, and slower economic growth, disproportionately affecting the poor. Flash flooding exacerbates these challenges by worsening living conditions, hindering relief distribution, limiting supplies, and driving up prices.
The presence of extremist organizations poses a significant threat to Pakistan’s security, with acts of terrorism and extremism continuing to disrupt the nation and create severe security concerns.
Changing weather patterns in Pakistan are unmistakably linked to climate change. Intense rainfall has submerged parts of the country for months, resulting in food shortages due to damaged crops and livestock losses. Rising temperatures are also affecting glaciers, which, when combined with extreme weather events, disrupt daily life and endanger lives.
In 2022, Pakistan experienced multiple extreme weather events, including scorching heatwaves with temperatures soaring to 50 degrees Celsius and recurrent flash floods caused by continuous monsoon rains.
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