Atiq Kainan Ahmed, from Bangladesh (CGEIS), in his presentation, Vulnerabilities of the Livelihood Groups in the Coastal Zone of Bangladesh spoke on how the region faces a high degree of exposure to natural disasters. This and other socio-cultural factors make it very difficult for the local population to obtain a sufficient and stable income to respond to risk factors. This calls for specific policies addressing the diversity of vulnerabilities experienced by these groups. While small farmers living in the coastal zone mainly face economic and financial vulnerability, the artisanal fishers' are continually exposed to natural disasters. The urban and rural wage laborers are subject to severe economic constraints that prevent them from realizing the full potential of their livelihoods.
Babar Shahbaz from SDPI and Tanvir Ali from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, co-authored a paper titled The Impact of Forest Reforms on some Factors of Livelihoods Vulnerability in the Highlands of the Northwest Pakistan . Vulnerability or livelihood insecurity is a constant reality for people living in mountain areas of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. People living in these mountain areas are severely affected by the processes of global change. Forests are an important natural capital in these highlands, but non-sustainable forest management strategies have increased the vulnerability and insecurity of livelihoods.
Analyzing various livelihood strategies and the vulnerability context of marginalized people living in mountain areas and the impact of the forest reforms, they suggested that there should be control over forest department and also the sensitization of the communities through participatory approaches, giving the example of the rate of deforestation.
Aneela Babar from CCR, Australia, in her presentation Reflections on Post-tsunami Relief Work, was of the view that women's livelihoods in tsunami hit areas have not only been affected by the initial devastation of the tsunami but also by the policies and practices of the government and the humanitarian aid to community's post-disaster response, so women face double discrimination. Women took part in relief and reconstruction works, but they did not benefit from economic and support programs. Governments have to design policies of compensations that do not discriminate against women and empower local communities to rebuild their lives. They also have to address the root causes of vulnerability, including gender and social inequalities.
Dr. Siva Prasad from the Hyderabad University in his presentation Tribal Livelihoods in a Limbo: Changing Tribe-Nature Relationships in South Asia was of the view that there is an intricate relationship between the livelihood pursuits of tribal communities and natural resources like forest, land and water-bodies. The critical balance between the two is essential for the sustainable livelihoods of tribal groups not only in South Asia but also in other parts of the world. The coping mechanisms evolved by them are cultural responses to combat the scarcity and poverty conditions that threaten them periodically.
The session was chaired by Inayautullah Chaudhry from UNDP, Islamabad. Ali Ercelawn, from PILER, Karachi, as the discussant spoke about the role of state and society in disaster mitigation. What kind of social and political arrangements should be made to reduce the risks? Distress migration leads towards poor social protection safety measures. In the case of Pakistan, if one reviews the October earthquake rehabilitation process, the parliament and local bodies have been bypassed and people are at the mercy of outsiders.
Reported by Mehnaz Ajmal Paracha
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