Humanitarian response or human rights gap? A critical analysis of post-flood relief and resettlement in Khairpur Mirs

Abstract

This study aims to critically examine the post-2022 flood relief and resettlement efforts in Khairpur Mirs, Sindh using the intersecting lens of humanitarian response and human rights. Climate induced disasters are increasingly recognized as global justice issues, the case of Khairpur reveals significant disparities between short term humanitarian interventions and long term-based recovery. Using the lens of climate justice theory and international legal frameworks such as ICESCR, UN guiding principles on international displacement and Sendai framework, this research aims to investigate if the fundamental rights to housing, health, food, education and participation were upheld in the aftermath of floods. The findings reveal a critical gap in governance, community inclusion and participation and legal accountability. Relief efforts and distribution was marred by political interference, gendered exclusions and limited engagement of the affected community. This article suggests a paradigm change in models of emergency relief models of disaster governance that focus on giving voice and rights to vulnerable populations. The case of Khairpur serves as indicator of the human cost of the lack of attention to the problem of climate change and as warning against underscoring the extreme necessity of integrating human rights into the process of disaster management and policy formulation