Beyond Emergency Relief

Tharparkar suffers from repeated droughts. The desert needs a long-term plan focused on water security, resilient livelihoods, healthcare and education, rather than emergency assistance each time the monsoon fails. In south-eastern Sindh, rain is the basis of life. It determines whether crops grow, livestock survive and families can sustain themselves. When the monsoon fails, the consequences extend beyond farming to drinking water, food security, children’s education, and physical and mental health. Each drought brings the same challenges: water shortages, loss of grazing land and livestock, and migration. Why does a region repeatedly facing drought still lack a comprehensive plan to protect its people before the next crisis? 96 underground water tanks being built in 51 cities under Punjab Development Programme Tharparkar has experienced severe dry periods in the 1960s, 1980s, late 1990s and early 2000s, followed by a prolonged crisis from 2013 to 2018. Covering 19, 638 square kilometres and home to approximately 1. 78 million people, according to the 2023 census, its scattered settlements and limited water resources make public service delivery difficult. Its dependence on rainfall leaves communities particularly vulnerable. Agriculture and livestock remain central to local livelihoods. Farmers depend on monsoon rains to grow millet, guar and sesame, while grazing lands sustain goats, sheep, cattle and other animals. Insufficient rainfall damages crops, depletes grazing fields and increases fodder costs. Livestock represent more than income; they are a family’s financial security during difficult times. Distress sales and depleted savings undermine recovery and deepen vulnerability. NCCIA launches awareness drive against online fraud, cyber harassment Migration to irrigated areas of Sindh in search of fodder, grazing land and temporary employment has long been a coping mechanism. However, displacement comes at a social cost. Children miss school, families lose access to essential services, and women, older people and persons with disabilities face additional barriers to healthcare and clean water. Water scarcity remains a fundamental development challenge. Communities rely on rainwater, groundwater, wells and local tanks, many of which become unreliable during prolonged dry periods. In some areas, groundwater is either too deep or unsuitable for drinking. LGH suspends four officials over negligence Drought also disrupts education and healthcare. Financial hardship and migration force children to miss lessons or leave school altogether. School retention programmes, targeted household assistance and continuity arrangements for mobile families must be strengthened, alongside nutrition and social protection services. Remote villages often lack adequate healthcare facilities and staff. Poor roads, muddy tracks and limited emergency transport delay referrals, particularly for pregnant women, children and seriously ill patients. Investment in rural health facilities, staff recruitment and retention, four-wheel-drive ambulances, all-weather roads and mobile health teams is essential. JI to hold public rallies in five cities ahead of long march The psychological toll of drought also demands attention. Debt, crop failure, livestock losses and uncertainty heighten distress. Media reports recorded 122 deaths by suicide in Tharparkar between January and September 2026. While suicide cannot be attributed to drought alone, vulnerable communities need accessible counselling, trained frontline health workers, referral services and public awareness initiatives to reduce stigma. Mental healthcare must become part of primary healthcare rather than an emergency afterthought. The government of Sindh needs to replace reactive relief with a coordinated programme that reduces the impact of drought before household resources are exhausted. A district-level early-warning system should integrate rainfall forecasts, vegetation conditions, groundwater data, crop assessments and livestock health reports. Clear thresholds must trigger timely assistance, including food support, fodder, veterinary care and emergency water supplies. TEPA seeks Rs. 590m for AI-based traffic signals Livestock protection should remain central to drought preparedness. Community fodder banks, vaccination campaigns, mobile veterinary teams and accessible animal health services can prevent losses. Assistance must be sufficient to prevent distress sales and protect breeding animals. Livelihood diversification is equally important. Support for enterprises, women-led businesses, drought-resilient agriculture, livestock value chains, vocational training and local employment can reduce dependence on a single rainy season. Tharparkar’s mineral resources and cultural heritage offer opportunities, but development must generate meaningful employment and benefits for surrounding communities. Social protection must also integrate education, nutrition and healthcare, ensuring children remain in school, pregnant women access essential services and temporary economic shocks do not become long-term deprivation. The proposed Thar Development Authority merits consideration as a mechanism for coordinating long-term investment. The government should review the proposal, consult local communities and technical experts, and determine whether a dedicated authority would improve coordination, accountability and implementation. If established, it must have a clear legal mandate, defined responsibilities, transparent budgeting and measurable targets. Its work should integrate water management, livestock development, climate-resilient agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and livelihood diversification. Local government representatives, community organisations, women and relevant technical departments must participate meaningfully in planning and monitoring. Annual public reports should disclose expenditure, beneficiaries and project outcomes. The authority must complement existing institutions rather than duplicate their responsibilities, with success measured by improvements in people’s lives, not the establishment of offices or announcement of schemes. The people of Tharparkar have generations of experience adapting to their environment. Their knowledge, livelihoods and cultural traditions must inform development planning. However, communities cannot be expected to withstand recurring uncertainty without reliable public services and sustained investment. Drought will remain a recurring risk in this arid region, but its consequences need not be as devastating. The real test of government policy is whether a failed monsoon still forces families to sell livestock, abandon homes or face shortages of food, water and healthcare. Tharparkar needs more than wheat subsidies and fodder distribution after every drought. It needs a sustained commitment to water security, resilient livelihoods, accessible public services and accountable institutions. The time has come to move from recurring emergency relief towards long-term development that protects livelihoods and preserves the dignity of the people of Thar. Ali Nawaz RahimooThe writer is a social development professional and can be reached at anrahimoo@gmail. com

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