As part of the international APN-funded research initiative on “Enhancing Climate Resilience in South Asia and China,” a series of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted to gather community-based insights on climate variability, precipitation changes, and disaster-related challenges across vulnerable regions of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. More information about the project can be found at: https://www.apn-gcr.org/project/enhancing-climate-resilience-in-south-asia-predicting-precipitation-shifts-and-their-impacts-for-disaster-risk-reduction-and-resource-security/.
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with farmers, local stakeholders, and experts in Southern Punjab captured community experiences of climate variability, helping inform evidence-based adaptation strategies. Flooding emerged as the most frequent and damaging impact (30%), followed by irregular rainfall, heat waves, rising temperatures, and cold waves. Major challenges included food and water shortages, limited transport, lack of early warning systems, and difficulty accessing safe shelters, resulting in losses to household assets, livestock, irrigation systems, and crops.
Communities reported adaptation measures such as rainwater harvesting, improved irrigation, crop diversification, agricultural training, and afforestation, though 23% had no formal strategies. Livelihood adjustments included adopting new crops, reducing livestock, urban migration, and small businesses. Policy gaps were noted, with limited awareness, insufficient subsidies, weak market access, and only partial early warning coverage. Climate information came mainly from government programs, media, and social exposure.
Overall, findings underscore increasing climate vulnerabilities and the urgent adaption measures that should address for stronger early warning systems, localized risk mapping, effective policies, and integrated community-based adaptation to enhance resilience at local, regional, national and international level.
