Commerce Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Climate change is playing havoc with the economic and social fabric of the country. The numbers are grim and point towards the enormity of the challenge ahead.
The recent floods have inundated more than 250,000 km2 of land. Agriculture crops have been destroyed over an area of one million acres. Millions of animals are facing acute shortage of fodder, which is severely impacting their health and productivity. In addition, more than one million animals have been killed, depleting the livestock of the country.
Pakistan has suffered infrastructure damages equivalent to approximately $12 billion. Human displacement is another challenge, which is aggravating with every passing moment. Almost 35 million people have been directly affected. Although the floodwater is now receding, it has given birth to multi-dimensional challenges. Food availability is becoming a major concern, which will result in food insecurity. Pakistan is already home to 58.8% of the population with different levels of food insecurity. The destruction to food storages, standing crops, killing of animals and impact on the health of livestock will further aggravate this situation. Rough estimates reveal that floods will add 10-15% to the existing food-insecure population.
Secondly, millions of people have been displaced. They have lost their livelihoods and remain uncertain as to what the future holds. They are thus fighting for their survival. Income is one of the key determinants of food security. Pakistan, already mired in poverty and unemployment, has limited capacity to cope with the scale of the challenge. The country already finds itself embroiled in a financial crisis, with a rising current account deficit and double-digit inflation.
