Community Dialogue in Flood Affected District: Raising Awareness against Corruption and Improving Climate Governance Accountability through Communities Participation in Climate Planning and Decision-Making
Date: Wednesday, 11 September, 2024
Venue: Al Ameen Restaurant, District Khairpur Mirs, Sindh

Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration with Bhittai Social Watch Advocacy organized a Community Dialogue in the flood-affected district Khairpur, Sindh. The main objective of the dialogue was to increase awareness among grassroots communities who are most impacted by climate change, about the effects of climate change, Sindh Climate Change Policy 2022 and build their capacity on social accountability tools to participate in climate decision-making at the local level.

Around 60 people including 20 women including youth, transgender and CSO representatives participated in the dialogue. The event was also attended by the local administration including Councilor, village Adam Goth, Chairman, Town Committee, Public Information Officer, Khairpur, In-charge, Office of the Provincial Ombudsman and Additional Deputy Commissioner II, Khairpur.

The dialogue commenced with the welcoming remarks by Mr. Khadim Hussain Mirani, Executive Director, Bhittai Social Watch Advocacy. Ms. Nasreen Memon, Project Coordinator, TI Pakistan, provided an overview of TI Pakistan’s Climate Governance Integrity Program. She highlighted that district Khairpur is highly vulnerable to climate change with 51.9% of its population affected during 2022 floods, as per PDM figures. She briefed the participants on Sindh Climate Change Policy 2022 and said that the policy focuses on coastal issues (mangroves, fisheries, seawater intrusion), and extreme heat episodes. It also targets women, human health, community-based disaster preparedness, coastal protection, and climate education. However, despite the passage of adoption of the policy, the action plan for implementation is absent. She said that there is a need for grassroot communities to be aware of the policy frameworks, to demand their rights, include their voices and advocate for improvements so that the challenges of climate change are tackled through civic participation. She emphasized that engaging communities in climate planning equips them with the knowledge and skills to adapt to and mitigate climate impacts. It also enhances the sustainability of climate projects, because as communities are engaged, they are more likely to embrace and support long term initiatives.

Next, Mr. Abdul Jabbar Khaskheli, Program Advisor, BSWA delivered a session on Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights in Sindh, A Case Study of Khairpur District: The Way Forward. He provided recommendations from the report on “Impact of Climate Change on Human Rights in Sindh, Flood – 2022.” He emphasized the need for immediate action to remove floodwater and restore agriculture and infrastructure, prompt handling of public complaints, and public assemblies to improve administration. He also recommended establishing a social audit system for both government and NGOs, developing a comprehensive disaster planning strategy with stakeholders, creating systems for disseminating weather information, and enhancing capacity building in various departments. He said that actions should be taken to issue repair tenders for schools, increasing union council budgets, and restoring water and drainage systems with a shift to solar energy.

Moving on, Mr. Syed Jumman Shah, Chairman, Town Committee Tehsil Piryaloi delivered a session on Strengthening Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR): Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies. He stressed the importance of collaboration between local communities and the government to strengthen disaster preparedness, climate-smart practices, and overall resilience. He suggested that the action plan for effective implementation will require sustained efforts, adequate funding, and ongoing capacity building to reduce vulnerabilities in Sindh. He recommended training local government officials and community leaders on CBDRR, disaster management, and climate adaptation. He said there is a need to establish early warning systems in vulnerable communities to ensure they are better prepared for floods, droughts, and other disasters. Additionally, he highlighted that as communities we must adapt to changing climate effects, this requires promoting the use of drought-resistant and climate-adaptive crop varieties to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture which is major source of sustenance for local communities.

Next, Mr. Ahmed Bux Ghumro, In-charge, Office of the Provincial Ombudsman, District Khairpur, briefed the participants on the establishment of the Provincial Ombudsman’s office and the complaint redressal mechanisms implemented by the institution. He explained how the ombudsman’s office is committed to addressing grievances, ensuring transparency, and providing justice to the public, particularly in cases where individuals feel wronged by government agencies or face bureaucratic hurdles. He emphasized that the complaint redressal mechanism is designed to be accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens, allowing them to voice their concerns and seek resolutions efficiently. He underscored the importance of public awareness about the role of the ombudsman in ensuring good governance and accountability in climate governance. He highlighted that while government agencies play a crucial role in managing disaster responses during the recent monsoon rains, the active participation of local communities is essential for the success of disaster relief efforts.

Afterwards, participants engaged in open discussion. Mr. Gurmukhdass, Minority Rights Activist, said that during the floods 2022, the minority groups faced significant disadvantages such as lacking access to crucial resources and support systems, which exacerbated their vulnerability. Ms. Sanam Faqeer, Transgender Activist, shared that the marginalized groups, including transgender individuals, are often disproportionately affected and not treated well during climate emergencies. She offered that the transgender community can work with the local government voluntarily when it comes to rehabilitation works during any kind of disaster.

Next, Ms. Nasreen Memon, Project Coordinator, TI Pakistan informed the participants about TI Pakistan’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC), which serves as a dedicated resource for victims and witnesses of corruption, including issues pertaining to climate mis-governance and irregularities and provide essential guidance and support.

Towards the end, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari, Ex-Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur delivered the concluding remarks. He presented the recommendations on the basis of discussion with participants. He said that there is a need of climate orientation and awareness in the society, constitution of district level committee for fund distribution during the disaster, community, CSOs, government and donor agencies coalition against corrupt practices during the disaster relief mechanism, formation of public grievances redressal cell at district level, introduction of climate education at university level, transparency in flood relief material distribution, strengthening climate governance setup at the local level, and effective implementation of Sindh Climate Change Policy 2022.

At the end, Additional Deputy Commissioner II, Khairpur, Mr. Shah Rukh Maganhar interacted with the participants to take note of their grievances and suggestions. He highlighted that the Sindh region is particularly susceptible to climate-related challenges and hence community engagement and effective disaster management in addressing the pressing climate vulnerabilities are crucial. He stated that proactive measures, such as early warning systems, community based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR), and climate-adaptive practices, are vital in building long term resilience in Sindh. He further highlighted that by working together and sharing responsibility between the government and communities, Sindh can reduce the effects of climate change and keep its people safe and healthy.