Climate Migration Research Sparks Policy Dialogue in Pakistan

Research by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) influences stakeholders in Pakistan to integrate climate migration into policies and disaster management programs.

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Climate Migration Research Sparks Policy Dialogue in Pakistan

Pakistan faces a mounting crisis of climate-induced displacement, with floods, droughts, and extreme weather events devastating livelihoods. The catastrophic 2022 floods displaced millions, highlighting the urgency to address climate migration. Women and children bear the brunt, facing food insecurity, poor sanitation, and heightened health risks.

Despite the scale of displacement, limited data and weak policy frameworks hinder effective responses. To bridge this gap, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), under the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM), conducted research in Rahim Yar Khan (RYK), southern Punjab. The study aimed to quantify challenges faced by climate migrants and host populations to inform inclusive policies and adaptive strategies.

Key Findings of the IWMI Study

IWMI’s research focused on the socio-economic impacts of climate migration through surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with migrants and stakeholders. Key findings include:

Severe Food and Water Insecurity: 90% of surveyed households reported moderate to severe food insecurity. Nearly 50% lacked access to clean drinking water.
Gendered Vulnerabilities: Women and girls suffered more from food and water scarcity, increasing their exposure to waterborne diseases.
Digital Divide in Disaster Warnings: Social and cultural barriers restrict women’s access to mobile phones and social media, limiting their ability to receive early flood warnings and participate in resilience-building activities.

These findings underscore the urgent need for gender-responsive policies to enhance disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

Policy Recommendations and Stakeholder Engagement

To drive actionable change, IWMI organized a multi-stakeholder workshop, engaging government officials, researchers, civil society, and development partners. The workshop catalyzed several outcomes:

1. Policy Integration into Disaster Management

Mr. Faisal Fareed, former Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, emphasized integrating IWMI’s findings into district disaster management plans and national strategies.

“Previously, I thought Rahim Yar Khan had no major issues related to climate migration. However, this research highlights critical challenges that demand urgent intervention.” – Faisal Fareed

2. Strengthening Disaster Response Training

Officials from Rescue 1122 proposed incorporating IWMI’s research into Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training modules across Punjab. This initiative aims to enhance anticipatory action during climate crises.

3. Incorporating Climate Migration into Educational Curricula

Researchers from Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology (KFUEIT) and UET Lahore recommended integrating climate migration topics into university courses to equip future professionals with relevant expertise.

The Way Forward: Building Climate Resilience

IWMI’s research has successfully sparked data-driven policy dialogue, influencing disaster preparedness and inclusive governance. Moving forward, collaborative efforts among government agencies, academia, and civil society are critical to:

Establish early warning systems tailored for vulnerable communities, including women.
Develop gender-responsive policies to address disparities in digital access.
Strengthen social protection programs to support displaced populations.
Enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) education at all levels.

By prioritizing these strategies, Pakistan can effectively address climate migration challenges and build resilience among vulnerable populations.