Every school day starts with a bell. But what if, one day, it’s the fire alarm instead? Disasters are unpredictable, but their impact doesn’t have to be. While schools across the world teach young minds about atoms and algebra, many still neglect something far more urgent: how to survive a disaster?. In 2023, the World Bank reported that over 875 million school-aged children live in areas at high risk of natural disasters.
Yet, the majority of educational institutions fail to produce a well-equipped disaster response. This isn’t just an oversight; it is a life-threatening gap. Disaster response education and training in schools are not optional courses or programs; they are essential life skills, as critical as reading or science.
Why does Disaster Response Education Matter?
Educational institutions are among the most densely populated buildings in any community. A fire, earthquake, or violent incident can escalate within seconds. Without a clear disaster response plan and trained individuals, the consequences can be devastating. Children are especially vulnerable not only physically but also emotionally. But when trained properly, they can recognize danger, respond calmly, and even assist others. In 2021, a global study conducted by UNESCO found that schools with trained staff and students had a 30–50 percent higher rate of injury prevention during disasters.
Disaster Preparedness: More Than a Drill
Being prepared for disasters is not about ticking boxes or sounding alarms; it’s about caring for each other when life becomes unpredictable. It starts with awareness by noticing the risks around us, the cracks in a wall, the smell of gas, or the floodwater rising. It means knowing where to go, how to stay safe, and how to reach loved ones in the middle of chaos.
But it is also about people. A simple act of stopping a bleeding wound, calming a panicked friend, or remembering CPR can save a life. And sometimes, the most powerful help is just being there, steady and reassuring, when fear takes over. Preparedness and Disaster Response is not about fear; it’s about compassion, courage, and standing together when it matters most.
Training for Disaster Response: Models and Best Practices
Effective disaster preparedness training goes beyond lectures; it relies on practice and repetition. Schools often conduct regular mock drills, sometimes unannounced, to test awareness and response speed. In Japan, earthquake drills are routine, teaching children to “Drop, Cover, and Hold” while following supervised evacuation routes. Hands-on workshops with fire departments, rescue teams, and paramedics further build confidence, offering demonstrations on CPR, first aid, and fire safety.
Equally important is the training of teachers and staff. Through Training of Trainers (ToT) programs, faculty members complete certified courses that equip them to guide students in emergencies. In Pakistan, for example, the NDMA partners with the Red Crescent to train educators in evacuation protocols, first aid, and psychosocial support.
Tsunami evacuation drill performed in a Gawadar school. Credit: UNESCO
Many schools also integrate disaster awareness into the curriculum, using science, geography, and civics lessons to reinforce preparedness. Visual tools such as safety maps, posters, handbooks, and mobile alert systems help keep awareness in daily school life.
Barriers to Implementation
Supporting these practices are simple but effective tools: emergency maps and signage throughout school buildings, posters showing “what to do” in a fire or earthquake, handbooks and checklists shared with parents, stocked school emergency kits, and mobile alert systems that link directly to families and local emergency teams. These everyday reinforcements ensure that safety is not treated as an occasional exercise, but as part of the culture of learning.
Still, challenges remain. Schools often struggle with limited budgets, a lack of trained staff, or a general underestimation of risk. These barriers can be overcome with partnerships, national-level training programs, and consistent advocacy for policy integration. When disaster education is aligned with global best practices and national guidelines, it creates a framework that is both practical and sustainable.
Ultimately, investing in school safety is investing in the future. Disasters are not rare anomalies; they are part of the world we live in. The question is not if an emergency will happen, but when. And when that moment comes, will our students know what to do?
Preparedness does not require sweeping changes overnight. It can begin with a single drill, a safety committee, or a first aid certification. It can grow through open conversations with students, listening to their fears, and teaching them how to face those fears with confidence. Because when the alarms sound, it is not fear that saves lives, it is knowledge, preparation, and the courage to act.
References:
Şükrü, E. and K. Ali, Disasters and earthquake preparedness of children and schools in Istanbul, Turkey. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 2016. 7(4): p. 1307–1336.
In Pakistan, an HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 9–14 years is being held from September 15 to 27, 2025, across Punjab, Sindh, AJK, and Islamabad. This campaign is part of the government’s initiative, supported by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), to introduce the HPV vaccine and prevent cervical cancer.
Although the vaccination of 2.5 million out-of-school girls after the floods and rains, especially in remote areas and marginalised communities, could be challenging for the health teams.
This nation-wide vaccination drive is part of larger global strategy for elimination of cervical cancer and Pakistan is also a signatory of the 71st World Health Assembly Resolution of 2018 that sets a goal of 90-70-90 by year 2030, which means 90pc of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70pc of women screened by age 35 and again by 45, and 90pc of women with cervical cancer disease receive treatment/palliative care.
Societal Taboos: A Major Barrier in Immunization Drives!
Let’s just agree that we are no novices to the very obvious deterrence of our nation towards vaccination. In fact, the occurrence of Polio and the negativity towards what we call ‘Science-derived protection’ is a loud screaming example in itself of how out of touch the views of the masses are when it comes to believing and blindly following harmful narratives.
Now, imagine persuading the same group of people to get their adolescent girls rightfully vaccinated against a potentially life-threatening cervical cancer.
Oh yes, the pitchforks will be pointed at you for wanting to provide healthcare to their daughters. So, what takes priority, medical care or superstitious taboos? What a conundrum for a conservative society!
But first, let us understand what HPV actually is and how it impacts the lives of women.
What is HPV?
As per the WHO, HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. It is an infection that affects the genital area, skin, and throat. HPV infections may go away on their own, but some lead to genital warts and the development of abnormal cells, which often lead to cancers. HPV infections affect all individuals regardless of gender, triggering anal, vulvar, vaginal, mouth/throat, and penile cancers, among which cervical cancer is the most prevalent.
To counter this, the prophylactic usage of the HPV vaccine became the pillar for the WHO to eradicate cervical cancer globally. This approach could prevent 60 million individuals from potential cancerous cells and over 45 million deaths from it over the course of 100 years.
But Why Mostly Women?
It must be kept in mind that while HPV contraction occurs regardless of gender, women with a cervix are the most affected among all individuals.
According to a review published in the OAMJMS by researchers Sadia et al, it was highlighted that about 7431 individuals in Pakistan have been tested for HPV between 2007 and 2018, out of which there were 80.4% reported cases of cervical cancer.
HPV Information Center, a project of WHO, shared key data in 2023, highlighting that every year over 5000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, while 3197 women die from the disease, making cervical cancer the 3rd most common cancer among women in Pakistan.
John Doorbar and Heather Griffin, in their study, discuss that HPV is commonly known to attack the squamous and columnar epithelium cells at the cervical transformation zone (a site where stratified simple epithelium can develop from simple columnar epithelium), which is why it affects the cervix more, as the cervical lining is rich with these cells. With the unique environment of the cervical mucosa and constant hormonal changes, the susceptibility of HPV in women increases. It is also easier for the virus to infect the basal layers due to microabrasions during intercourse.
Past, Present, and Future of HPV in Pakistan
The HPV vaccine was initially introduced in Pakistan in 2019 for girls aged 9-14, as part of the Expanded Program Immunization, but was not integrated within the National Immunization Program and, in fact, was discontinued for unknown reasons.
Moreover, there is no National Screening program for cervical cancer. Although some urban areas offer pap smears but even that is limited to the privileged few. By 2019, it was reported that less than 1% of women had themselves screened against the life-threatening disease.
The Government of Sindh had also announced the initiation of the HPV Vaccination Program in 2022, which did not come to fruition. With a delay of 3 years, the campaign is promised to start within the province from September 2025. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also amplifying its efforts for the launch of the HPV vaccination campaign in the province in 2026.
Allison et al, in a comparative modelling study, predicted that the successful incorporation of HPV immunization would lead to the prevention of up to 133,000 cervical cancer cases in Pakistan.
Dr Aminah emphasized that “No girl should be left behind”. Photo, EPI Sind
Dr Aminah Khan, Country Director of Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) and with 20 years of Public Health experience, is the leading force striving for the national integration of the HPV vaccine. Aminah Khan is playing an active role in the development and implementation of SBCC (Social and Behavioural Change Communication) for maximum impact.
Dr Aminah says that nearly 70% of the targeted aims can be achieved despite the obviously regressive environment. According to her, KAB (Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour) studies will be conducted to gather insights from all provinces so that effective policies can be devised.
Dr Aminah further added that targeted awareness messages and capacity building of all stakeholders will serve as a strong base against cultural and religious barriers. Not only this, she mentioned that the HPV vaccine will be supplied for free and will become part of routine Immunization.
Dr Aminah informed that the funds for this will be sought from GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) for domestic financing, just like other routine vaccines. To ensure smooth execution, a potential collaboration will be nurtured with Health, Education, Religious leaders, Media, and Institutes.
She emphasized that “No girl should be left behind”.
Awareness in Youth about HPV Vaccination
A small survey of 39-40 students was conducted to observe their thought processes regarding HPV. Upon asking whether they were pro or anti-vaccinator, 64.1% (Fig. A) responded with being pro, while 20.5% fell into the anti-vaccinator category. 53.8% (Fig-B) didn’t even know about HPV or the HPV vaccine. 15.4% (Fig-C) of them had received the HPV vaccine, while 84.6% voted in favour of HPV vaccination for women.
Within this small sample, 10 individuals (Fig-D), all university-going students studying STEM, didn’t even know what cervical cancer was. When asked if they thought that men could also contract HPV, 23.1% answered “No” (Fig-E). These results indicate that although there are advocates for the HPV vaccine in the shape of young students, there is still a need for massive awareness throughout educational campuses.
Source: Mariam Mushtaq
In a country where women’s needs are considered secondary, Dr. Aminah Khan and her team have taken it upon themselves to ensure the protection of these women against HPV. However, the lack of understanding between the masses, compounded by the associated stigmas and the conservative social and cultural environment of Pakistan, stands as a steel wall against these efforts.
Furthermore, while the campaign targets young girls, young boys at an equal risk of contracting HPV are being overlooked. Provinces are making strides to overcome these barriers by training health workers and making HPV part of the educational curriculum. But the question is, is this enough?!
In August 2025, the Ravi River flooded Lahore after several decades of minimal activity. This event not only caused widespread inundation but also highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the river to the city. For many residents, the flood served as a reminder of Lahore’s longstanding relationship with the Ravi River.
One of the five rivers for which Punjab was named of the Ravi River, which flows from northwest India to northeast Pakistan, flows from the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India, passing Chamba, turning to Jammu & Kashmir, and then entering Pakistan. It flows 50 miles before entering the Punjab province of Pakistan. It flows from Lahore to Kammalia, entering the Chenab River.
The Indus Waters Treaty (1960), which authorized India to use the waters of the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, is linked to the Ravi’s fall over time. After that, dams and barrages changed their course, making it flow like a stream that only flows during the monsoon season in Pakistan. Over time, the main source of water for the river was limited to cities, especially around Lahore. [1]
Hydrological estimations indicate that before the mid-20th century, the Ravi’s floodplain in Punjab reached several kilometers on both banks, sustaining seasonal wetlands and riparian trees. These places were essential for migratory birds, renewing soil fertility and recharging aquifers.
In 2024, India blocked the flow of the River Ravi into Pakistan in a premeditated maneuver that was both astonishing and unexpected. This might be a death sentence for Lahore and other adjacent towns in terms of water needs, as the recently constructed Shahpur Kandi dam permits India to retain 1,150 cusecs of water that was previously destined for Pakistan. The data also shows that the dam began rerouting 1,150 cusecs of water to irrigate around 32,000 acres in the districts of Samba and Kathua in Occupied Jammu. [2]
Importance of the Ravi Riverbanks and Wetlands
Over the decades, rapid and unregulated urbanization caused the degradation of the Ravi. The environment, and contamination of its banks, as this critical water body is the recipient of untreated water, the site of commercial sand mining, deforestation, and ad hoc land use conversions. [3]
River Ravi’s wetlands and riverbanks were essential for several factors, such as biodiversity, groundwater recharge, soil fertility, climatic regulation, ecological balance, and local livelihoods. These functions have been hampered by their deterioration over time as a result of decreased flows, urbanization, and pollution.
According to WWF-Pakistan, there used to be roughly 38 different kinds of fish in the Ravi between Lahore and Head Sidhnai, but virtually all died due to contaminated water, very little dissolved oxygen, and sewage that hasn’t been cleaned. A study conducted by Punjab University found that more than half of the species that used to live in the river are either fewer in number or have completely disappeared. The loss of these species makes the river’s ecosystem even more unstable, which makes it harder to bring the river back to its natural state. [4]
Until 2022, the flows in the Ravi at Ravi Syphon decreased from a peak of 920,000 to just 63,720 cusecs. The upstream infrastructure has slowly grown watertight, preventing any downstream leakage, except during the 1988 high floods. In one instance, Ravi’s high floods at Jassar in 1955 were 680,000 cusecs, whereas in 2023 they were only 71,010 cusecs. [5]
The Role of Land Conversion and Encroachment in Ravi’s Degradation
The launch of the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) in 2020 further accelerated plans to build a “new city” along a 46-km stretch, marketed as sustainable but criticized for threatening riparian ecology and farming.
Illegal colonies, factories, and building projects have taken over large areas of the riverbanks along the Ravi River as cities grow. The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority did a survey and found that around 30% of the river’s banks have been built on in the last 20 years.
These encroachments not only block the river’s natural flow, but they also raise the risk of flooding during the monsoon season. As towns grow and infrastructure projects go on, the loss of important riparian zones and wetlands along the Ravi River is a big threat to both the river and the people who live nearby. [4]
In July 2020, an Act of the Punjab Assembly established RUDA as a government agency. It is in charge of the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project, also referred to as Ravi City, which spans around 46 kilometers along the Ravi River.
The goals of RUDA include turning the Ravi back into a perennial freshwater river, building contemporary residential and commercial areas (such as Chahar Bagh, Sapphire Bay, Souq District, etc.), establishing green belts, planting six million trees, water treatment facilities, flood control infrastructure, eco-industrial zones, and themed industries (such as medical, educational, and industrial). [6]
Several housing societies have sought and been granted permission by RUDA to develop their properties. These societies have been divided into groups according to the kinds of RUDA licenses they have obtained, including Final Sanctions, Technical Approval for Land Subdivisions, and Provisional Planning Permission (PPP).
Seven housing schemes have received RUDA approval with provisional planning authorization, six have received technical approval, and final approval verifies that the housing schemes satisfy all official, legal, and technical requirements, of which there are just two. [7]
The Ravi’s Return: Impact of Ravi’s Reclamation
On 26th August National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a significant flood warning for the river Ravi as “This intense rainfall, combined with the downstream flows from the Madhupur Headwork (subject to releases), is expected to result in VERY HIGH TO EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH FLOOD LEVEL at JASSAR, SHAHDARA & BALLOKI during the next 48 hours.” According to NDMA from 26th June to 7th September, 910 deceased and 1044 injured, of which 234 are dead from Punjab and 654 are injured. [8]
The effects on agriculture were severe: low-lying, productive fields around Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Kasur that were grown without floods saw crop losses due to standing water, which harmed maize and rice harvests and reduced the fertility of the topsoil. The consequences of large-scale projects like the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), which has been constructing residential and commercial zones along a 46-km river corridor, were also evident due to the submerged roads, industrial sites, and encroached colonies [6].
In addition to the immediate harm, the ecological repercussions include soil instability, contamination from floodwater and urban sewage, and the loss of the last riparian vegetation that absorbed excess water and prevented erosion. Reclaiming floodplains is a natural river process that becomes disastrous when human development disregards hydrological reality, as Politico observed, affecting over 2 million people in Punjab. [9]
In 2025, unprecedented floods on the Ravi reversed decades of reclamation, with flows exceeding 215,000 cusecs at Shahdara, inundating low-lying urban settlements and destroying crops across Punjab, displacing thousands of families and exposing the risks of building on riverbeds.
This cycle shows how human occupation of floodplains, while offering short-term urban expansion, has deepened long-term vulnerability to ecological disaster and agricultural loss. Ravi’s reclamation during the 2025 floods demonstrates how building on dried riverbeds creates false security. When rivers reclaim their space, the consequences are amplified: flooding destroys agriculture, displaces urban populations, and erodes ecological resilience.
Seven housing schemes have received RUDA approval with provisional planning authorization, six have received technical approval, and final approval verifies that the housing schemes satisfy all official, legal, and technical requirements—of which there are..
Natural Disasters do not wait for permission. I have watched floodwaters turn green fields to muddy wastelands overnight. I have felt the ground shake beneath my feet during earthquakes. I have heard of landslides burying whole villages and valleys being washed away by flash floods. I have seen the news of the wildfire that reduces green forests to ashes. I have heard of droughts that have starved whole populations for months. I have experienced the panic of a pandemic that converts busy streets into empty ones. And I have personally experienced an unimaginable loss.
I still remember being eight years old when my family left our hometown and moved to Karachi to settle permanently. It was the 10th of January 2011 when a headline shook us all, a tragic landslide in Attabad, Hunza had buried an entire village. But the tragedy didn’t end there. As the newly formed lake rose, it drowned another town, the very one we had just left behind.
The landslide claimed 20 lives and displaced around 6,000 people. Over 25,000 were marooned due to blocked roads, and more than 19 km of the Karakoram Highway was submerged. Witnessing people of my community getting affected and displaced by the disaster awakened a feeling within me that this is an incident we experienced, but many more disastrous incidents transpire yearly in Pakistan. The level of displacement and loss of lives is increased.
The Need for Disaster Preparedness
Life is unpredictable; any event can cause a huge loss. These could be both natural and man-made disasters that need proper planning to minimize their human toll. Natural disasters cannot be prevented, but we can raise awareness, be well-prepared, and alert.
Despite being generally aware of the risks associated with natural disasters, people often fail to take necessary action. According to data from the World Risk Poll Resilience Index, produced by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, 43% of the world’s population say they can do nothing to protect themselves and their families in the event of a disaster, a 7 percentage point increase from 2021.
The analysis of how Pakistan has been hit by several disasters showed that the most disaster-hit areas have already faced similar situations in the past. As an illustration, the 2010 floods led to at least 1,781 deaths, 2,966 individuals were injured, and over 1.89 million houses were destroyed, whereas in 2022, 1,739 people died, including 647 children, and more than 12,867 were injured. More than 2.1 million individuals became homeless due to the floods.
Such recurring tragedies highlight our negligence in that we have not learned anything from past events, though disasters are now a crucial part of our lives. The 2010 floods were devastating, but the degree of destruction in 2022 was more or less the same as per the recent reports, which means that there has been little progress in the reduction of risks and mechanisms of effective response.
Interactive PAKISTAN-FLOODS-Death Tracker, AUGUST 28, 2025. Photo, YAHOO
Economic and Social Costs of Disasters
After the destruction has taken place, it is usually costly, and a lot of money is invested in responding to the disaster instead of building long-term resilience. Effective mitigation of risk involves making a dedication to emergency preparedness that involves society as a whole. Investing in preparedness can help prevent substantial economic losses.
The World Bank Group statistics indicate that in 2022, Pakistan incurred over USD 30 billion of monetary loss, which is a huge loss in the context of a developing nation like Pakistan. This is a demonstration of how expensive disasters are when we have not prepared.
According to UNDRR, every US$1 invested in risk reduction and prevention can save up to US$15 in disaster recovery, and every US$1 spent on making infrastructure disaster-resilient can save US$4 in reconstruction. It is evident from these numbers that prevention is not only smarter but also cost-effective.
Only 50 cents of every US$100 of disaster-related aid is directed towards protecting development from future disasters. Being responsible in implementing these plans and investing more money in preparedness will assist us in mitigating the losses and save lives, property, and the economy.
In nations where only disaster preparedness can lower the mortality rate of their citizens and lower economic losses, authorities tend to be irresponsible. Meanwhile, Pakistan lacks disaster preparedness measures to a considerable extent. As an example, residential, commercial, and hospitality buildings are often constructed in flood-prone areas without following any basic safety code or zoning policies.
Besides, the uncontrolled development in cities and rapid urbanization have also helped in fueling the problem of urban flooding. The social, political, economic, and environmental dimensions are the main contributing factors.
Building Community Resilience for the Future
To achieve resilience and a successful disaster preparedness strategy, local communities that live in disaster-prone areas have to be engaged and educated, especially the women and children. Their power cannot be ignored, and they can be instrumental in defending and serving their societies.
Youth communities must be trained and encouraged to be involved in volunteer work. Students of schools also need to be considered as potential contributors in case of disasters and should be engaged actively by attending education and awareness seminars.
Disaster preparedness needs to be included in the school curriculum as a way of creating long-term resilience. In addition to this, the United Nations has developed two major global frameworks of disaster risk reduction, the Hyogo Framework (2005-2015) and its successor, the Sendai Framework (2015-2030). Such frameworks are supposed to be proactively incorporated in the policies and practices of disaster management to improve disaster response and preparedness plans.
Preparedness should not be viewed as optional but as a need. Communities should be informed and educated so that they can learn from their mistakes and, in that way, minimize loss of life and come up with a stronger future for the community.
For more than a century, that belief reigned over the field of neuroscience like gospel. Neurons, the core units of thinking, feeling, connecting, remembering, and coordinating, were considered one-time miracles. Born in the womb, matured in youth, and then fated to fade without replacement. While all other cells of the body had replication power to some extent, some more than others. Even the Kidney and liver had their own replication ability to some extent, the neurons were rendered undividable.
And yet, deep inside the hippocampus of an adult brain, a spark refused to go out. In July 2025, a team of researchers led by Jonas Frisén at Karolinska Institutet made headlines. They reported something long suspected but rarely proven. The adult human brain continues to produce new neurons, even into old age.
In a 2025 press release, Frisén’s team announced they had successfully pinpointed the origin cells responsible for neuron formation in adults, reinforcing the idea that neurogenesis continues in the hippocampus throughout life. While this wasn’t the first report of adult neurogenesis, it stood out as one of the most convincing yet.
The findings, published in Science, stemmed from work by Ionut Dumitru and collaborators across Sweden and Europe. Using cutting-edge RNA sequencing and machine learning, the researchers analyzed over 100,000 individual cells from post-mortem hippocampal tissue. Using transcriptomic analysis, the team identified 354 neural progenitor cells in adolescent and adult human hippocampus samples.
The cells were showing clear signatures of neurogenesis. This included 12 adolescent and 65 adult neural stem cells, 4 adolescent and 71 adult intermediate neural progenitors (INPs), and 202 adult neuroblasts. The data pointed toward something long believed impossible: dividing neural progenitor cells in the adult brain.
The Contested History of Growing New Brain Cells
The history of adult neurogenesis is filled with hope, denial, rediscovery, and relentless debate. In the early 20th century, the scientific world was ruled by a firm belief that the adult brain was incapable of producing new neurons. In 1913, neuroanatomist Santiago Ramón y Cajal famously proclaimed that adult neural circuits were fixed and unchangeable, stating that while everything else may perish, nothing in the adult brain could regenerate. And for decades, this “neuron doctrine” held the brain hostage.
In adult centers, the neural routes are fixed, terminated, and immutable. Nothing can be guaranteed to live forever ~(Santiago Ramón y Cajal, 1913).
Then came a seismic shift. In the 1960s, Joseph Altman observed what few believed possible: newly formed neurons in the adult rat brain. His work, followed by Fernando Nottebohm’s discoveries in songbirds during the 1980s, cracked the door open on the possibility that the adult brain wasn’t as inert as once thought.
The breakthrough into human territory arrived in 1998, when Peter Eriksson and colleagues examined postmortem brain tissue of cancer patients who had been administered BrdU (Bromodeoxyuridine). It showed newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus. Then, in 2013, Jonas Frisén’s lab used an unconventional but ingenious method, carbon-14 dating, a tool borrowed from nuclear fallout, to estimate that the adult human hippocampus adds around 700 new neurons per day.
The optimism was short-lived. In 2018, a major rebuttal hit the literature like a thunderclap. Shawn Sorrells and his team, after examining hippocampal samples across ages, found no evidence of neurogenesis in adults, not even in teenagers. Their conclusion was blunt. Neurogenesis, they argued, plummets after childhood and cannot be detected in the adult brain.
This bombshell reignited long-standing tensions. Was everyone else seeing ghosts? In the same year, the Transmitter magazine summarized the climate of uncertainty perfectly. Juan Arellan, a research scientist in neuroscience at Yale University, acknowledged the uncertainty, suggesting that while some cells may exist, their functional importance remains questionable.
Shawn Sorrells, assistant professor of neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, further asserted that even if adult neurogenesis exists, it is likely so infrequent that it has minimal significance.The controversy didn’t just cast doubt; it destabilized the entire research trajectory.
Fast forward to now, armed with single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), machine learning, and multiplexed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), researchers are finally starting to chart a clearer picture. In 2024, the team led by Marta Paterlini and Ionut Dumitru at Karolinska Institutet published one of the most comprehensive molecular maps of neurogenesis in the human brain.
By integrating transcriptomic data from humans, mice, pigs, and primates, they uncovered a “full trajectory” of neurogenesis-related cell types, including neural stem cells, intermediate progenitors, and neuroblasts, even in adult brains. The key shift? Rigor and resolution. As Marta Paterlini noted that identifying neurogenesis isn’t about a single marker; it’s about interpreting a constellation of molecular signatures.
Using multiple converging lines of evidence helps differentiate true neurons from glial cells or dead-cell debris, a major flaw in earlier studies. According to Evgenia Salta from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, the recent findings may finally map the entire sequence of neurogenesis, including in adult humans for the first time. The ambiguity, it seems, is finally giving way to clarity.
A Division That Raises More Questions Than Answers
Even with mounting evidence, the reality of adult neurogenesis remains a paradox. The numbers are small. The cells are rare. Out of over 100,000 analyzed hippocampal cells, only 354 bore the molecular hallmarks of being part of the neurogenic lineage. That’s less than half a percent. And yet, those rare few could be rewriting everything we know about how the brain ages, adapts, and possibly heals.
Among 100,000 analyzed hippocampal cells, only 354 bore the neurogenic lineage. (Credits: Sciepro/Getty Images/Verywell Mind)
But this revelation comes with a storm of unanswered questions. If these neural progenitors exist, what activates them? Do they functionally integrate into existing circuits, or are they simply biochemical relics of a developmental program now mostly dormant? What factors determine their survival and maturation? Could lifestyle, disease, trauma, or pharmacological agents influence their proliferation? And most importantly, does adult neurogenesis actually matter?
The skeptics argue that the numbers are too small to make any real impact. Supporters say even a tiny amount of new neurons, if targeted correctly, could be the difference between memory loss and memory retention, between recovery and decline. Then there’s the question of regional specificity: Why the hippocampus? Why not the cortex or cerebellum?
If the hippocampus retains this flicker of regenerative ability, is it a vestigial feature or a gateway to therapeutic strategies we’ve barely begun to imagine? Every new finding answers one question and raises ten more. But in science, that’s how revolutions start.
A Spark of Hope: What If the Brain Can Heal Itself?
Imagine a world where brain injury isn’t a life sentence. Where memory loss from aging or Alzheimer’s could be slowed, reversed, or even prevented. Where stroke recovery involves not just compensation, but regeneration. That’s the frontier adult neurogenesis opens.
Though limited, the confirmed presence of neurogenic activity in the adult brain cracks open a door long thought sealed shut. If we can harness this biological process, boost it, mimic it, and direct it, we might be able to design therapies for some of the most devastating neurological disorders.
In depression, studies have already linked reduced hippocampal neurogenesis with chronic stress and mood disorders. Some antidepressants are thought to work, in part, by stimulating neurogenesis. If we better understand this mechanism, we could develop faster-acting, more effective treatments.
In Alzheimer’s disease, where the hippocampus is one of the first casualties, reviving the birth of neurons might offer a way to delay or soften the cognitive blow. Could neural stem cells be preserved or reactivated before memory decline sets in? In traumatic brain injury or stroke, could artificially stimulating these progenitor populations lead to real structural repair? And beyond disease, the prospect of enhancing plasticity in the aging brain is electrifying. What if lifelong learning didn’t have to plateau? What if the “set in stone” adult brain was far more malleable than we’ve been led to believe?
As Frisén and Dumitru’s work gains traction, scientists are now racing to uncover the molecular signals, environmental cues, and epigenetic landscapes that govern neurogenesis. The dream isn’t just to observe it anymore. The dream is to control it. Because 354 cells may not sound like much, but if they can fire, connect, and remember, they just might be enough to reboot how we see the brain altogether.
Is it Hype or Hope?
Maybe it’s both. The idea that adult humans can grow new brain cells was once scientific heresy. Today, it’s cautious optimism backed by single-nucleus sequencing and fluorescent in situ hybridization. But while the data spark wonder, they don’t yet promise miracles. The truth lies in the tension between rarity and possibility.
Even if neurogenesis in adults is limited, its mere existence hints at untapped reservoirs of repair and resilience. Maybe we won’t regenerate memories tomorrow, but the map is finally forming. And that’s the first step toward turning speculation into science, and science into healing.
References
Dumitru I, Paterlini M, Zamboni M, Ziegenhain C, Giatrellis S, Saghaleyni R, et al. Identification of proliferating neural progenitors in the adult human hippocampus. Science. 2025 Jul 3;389(6755):58–63. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adu9575
A week after buying a bag of rice from a trusted store, I opened it only to find tiny insects crawling through the grains. The bag was properly closed, stored in a clean, dry place, and there were no signs of pests anywhere else in my kitchen. Yet somehow, an infestation appeared out of nowhere!
I remembered a thought I’d once had, and I’m sure it has crossed many people’s minds at some point: Do insects in stored grains really come from nowhere? Could they just form inside the food on their own?!
Finding insects in stored grains isn’t a rare case. Many people have had the same issue with rice, flour, oats, and other dry grains. And according to studies, nearly 20% of the world’s stored grains are lost due to insect infestation, and in some places, that number is even higher.
“Insect pests currently consume the equivalent of 1 out of every 12 loaves of bread (before it ever gets made). By the end of this century, if climate change continues unabated, insects will be eating more than 2 loaves of every 12 that could have been made”, said Curtis Deutsch, the researcher and co-author at the University of Washington, to BBC News.
So, where do these insects come from? And more importantly, can we prevent them from invading our food?
How do Insects in Stored Grains get into the Sealed Bags?
Even if the bag looks perfectly fine at first, and you’ve stored it in a clean, dry place, insects can still find their way in or even chew their way through.
Some types, like the larvae of Indian meal moths, are known to bite through thin plastic, cardboard, and paper packaging just to reach the food inside. And for other insects, a tiny hole in the package or even a gap between the container and its lid is more than enough. Another thing is that if there’s already an infested item nearby, it’s very easy for insects to move from one bag to another.
What makes things worse is that most insects in stored grains thrive in warm, humid environments, like a kitchen shelf in summer. If the cupboard isn’t cleaned regularly, with bits of rice, flour, or crumbs lying around, it becomes even more inviting. And while we usually think they feed only on grains, some species can survive on dried fruit, spices, pet food, and even the cardboard packaging itself!
But what if you did everything right, and the insects still appeared?
You kept the grains in a properly sealed container, stored them in a dry cupboard, and made sure your kitchen was clean; there were no tears, not even a tiny hole; however, weeks later, you found insects inside.
So, how did insects in Stored Grains penetrate the container and get in there?
You might be surprised, but some insects in stored grains don’t even need to break in; their eggs were hidden in the grains long before you bought them home! Certain species of insects – such as weevils, grain moths, and some types of beetles- lay their eggs directly inside grains or seeds during storage, transport, or even earlier at the harvesting stage.
If proper pest control methods aren’t applied early on, or if the grains aren’t thoroughly cleaned and inspected during packaging, those eggs can end up sealed inside the bag. And then you buy one of those bags that seem perfectly clean to you, but that doesn’t mean they’re egg-free.
Eggs of grain insects are incredibly small. They are also white, translucent, and nearly invisible to the naked eye. They remain in the bag, hidden inside the grains, until conditions become favorable (such as warmth and humidity). At that point, the eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the grain from within, then pupate and eventually emerge as adult insects: the stage most people finally notice.
Life cycle of a beetle (as an example of stored product insects). Photo: Environmentalpest
So, by the time you bought that sealed bag, it was already carrying invisible eggs inside the grains, waiting for the right conditions to hatch and cause an insect infestation later. Not because your food went bad or your kitchen wasn’t clean, but simply because the eggs were there all along.
The Following are some Useful Tips to Keep Insects Out of Your Food!
Start with Smart Shopping
Before grains even enter your kitchen, inspect packaging carefully. Look for small holes, clumped grains, or fine powder—these subtle signs can hint at hidden pests. Choose stores with high product turnover, where items move quickly off shelves. The less time a bag sits in storage, the lower the chance of infestation. If possible, opt for brands known for strict quality control during packaging.
At Home: Freeze First and Store Right
Once you bring grains home, an easy trick is to freeze them for 3–4 days. This kills any undetected eggs or larvae without affecting quality. After freezing, transfer the grains to airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. Flimsy materials like cardboard or thin sacks are easy targets for r insects in stored grains; they can chew through or sneak into gaps. A tight seal is always your best defense.
Airtight food storage containers.
Maintain a Pest-Resistant Pantry
Store containers in a cool, dry spot, far from moisture or spilled food remnants. Regularly wipe shelves and vacuum corners to remove crumbs that might attract pests. Practice the “first in, first out” rule: use older grains before opening new packages, and avoid bulk-buying more than you’ll use in a few months. The less time food sits unused, the fewer opportunities bugs have to settle in.
Insects already in your food? Here’s what to do!
Now that you know how to prevent future infestations, what if you’re already dealing with insects in your food? Is it still safe to eat your food while there are bugs, or should you toss it? The answer depends on a few simple factors.
It can be a bit shocking, but don’t panic; seeing insects in food doesn’t always mean the food is ruined. If you only see a few insects here and there, and the grains still look and smell normal, you can simply rinse them well and still use them. Cooking will kill any hidden larvae or eggs.
Even if you accidentally eat one, it’s not dangerous. Food safety experts say it’s not a health risk at all. In fact, there’s actually an “acceptable” limit. According to the FDA, up to 75 insect fragments are allowed per 50 grams of wheat flour!
When should you throw food/grains away?
However, there are clear signs when food should be discarded. If you find grains full of live insects, webs, or strange smells, it’s safer to throw them out. In that case, the food may have started to spoil or lose its quality.
it may also grow fungi and could contain harmful mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of molds and can cause serious health problems. What makes them even more dangerous is that many mycotoxins are heat-stable, meaning they can survive standard cooking temperatures. So, eating the grains might not be safe anymore.
After throwing the bag away, make sure to clean the area where you kept it, especially corners and hard-to-reach spots. Vacuuming is the best way to get rid of any crawling insects or tiny eggs. Then wipe the surface dry and store new grains in sealed containers. That’s the only way to make sure the problem doesn’t come back. And one last thing, never spray insecticides near your food. They don’t fix the problem, and could make the food unsafe to eat.
Insects in stored grains can be pretty annoying, even a little gross. But it’s good to know that it doesn’t take much to keep them away. With a few easy habits and a bit of attention, you can protect your food and keep your kitchen clean
So no, insects don’t magically appear out of nowhere. But if you ever find one in your rice again, at least now you know… they’ve probably been waiting for the right time to say hello!
It was a sunny July afternoon when Sameer, a 45-year-old resident of Swat, rushed his mother to a nearby private hospital because her chest pain was becoming unbearable. However, the hospital quoted treatment costs that were two-thirds of Sameer’s monthly income. Overwhelmed by his mother’s falling health, he took his mother to a public hospital, where the area was already overcrowded.
He stood in line with his head bowed down, grappling with unspeakable feelings as he waited for his turn to obtain an emergency slip. After a few moments, he was handed a list of necessary investigations and medications, which were far beyond his salary and savings. At that moment, his emotions peaked; the weight of unsaid words hung on his tongue as he whispered with a heavy heart, “How can I pay for my mother’s life, provide food for my children, or endure the unending pain of debt?”
This moment captures a glimpse of the millions of people like Sameer who face similar situations daily. They sell their jewelry, livestock, and gamble with their savings to cover medical expenses. Although we advocate for “health for all,” the reality remains a harsh struggle between paying for life and falling into poverty. Stories like these raise alarm bells for Universal Health Coverage every day.
What is Universal Health Coverage?
Universal health coverage means that everyone has access to essential health services without facing financial hardship. The World Health Organization defines it through two main domains: service coverage and financial protection. It is not a luxury or a charity; it is a basic human right. Universal health coverage ensures that families can access essential healthcare without risking a financial downturn that leads to poverty.
Why is it so Important?
Imagine walking on a tightrope with a safety net beneath you to catch you if you fall. The tighter and broader the safety net, the greater the chances it will prevent you from experiencing a traumatic fall. Health emergencies—such as heart attacks, stroke, complications during childbirth, and chronic diseases like kidney failure, thalassemia, and cancer—can deplete your savings and possessions, potentially driving you into poverty.
Universal health coverage acts as a safety net, minimizing your financial burdens during these crises. It transforms health care from a gamble into a guarantee, ensuring that health shocks do not trap you in lifelong poverty.
How it Affects Our Health System and Economic Growth
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a basic human right that is so crucial that the World Health Organization (WHO) has included it in its Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Efficient health coverage ensures a healthy population, which leads to greater productivity, economic growth, and a reduction in early school dropouts, child labor, and other social issues. However, gaps in UHC have dire consequences, resulting in a shortage of healthcare staff, medicines, and decaying infrastructure.
This situation forces patients to incur out-of-pocket expenses, trapping them in a cycle of debt and poverty for many years. This leads to delays in seeking care, causing serious diseases to go undiagnosed until they reach a fatal stage. Even when diseases are diagnosed at advanced stages, the immense financial burden of treatment places an unbearable strain on low-income families, turning a diagnosis into a death sentence.
Populations with inadequate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) experience delays in immunizations and insufficient healthcare, leading to higher rates of mortality and disabilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), during the COVID-19 pandemic, weak health systems resulted in 25 million children missing routine vaccinations in 2021.
By mid-2023, only 34% of individuals in low-income countries had received COVID-19 vaccinations, compared to 73% in high-income countries. Additionally, countries with high out-of-pocket healthcare costs saw approximately 344 million people fall into extreme poverty and 1.3 billion people into relative poverty in 2019 due to medical expenses.
Therefore, the WHO and its partners emphasize that health spending should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost and must be prioritized.
What’s Happening in Pakistan?
Universal health coverage is a pressing issue in war-affected countries like Pakistan, where funding for this purpose is limited. Unfortunately, public hospitals in Pakistan are severely underfunded, with the country spending less than 1% of its GDP on public health.
This is in stark contrast to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of spending 5% of GDP on basic and universal health coverage. As a result, financial coverage for healthcare is inadequate, leading to an overwhelming dominance of private hospitals in healthcare expenditures.
Pakistan’s health sector has approximately 52.6% of health expenditure that is private, and nearly 89% of it comes directly out of patients’ pockets. This situation forces families into a cycle of illness, debt, and poverty.
What are real-life stories?
Chronic underfunding leads to multiple gaps in the safety net of Universal Health Coverage, causing families to fall into poverty due to healthcare-related expenses. For instance, Kashif explains that his three-year-old son suffers from recurrent chest infections due to a genetic disease. Each time he is admitted to the hospital, the treatment costs him around two-thirds of his monthly income.
Sometimes, government hospitals are so overcrowded that there are no available beds, even for sharing with other patients. As a result, he has to admit his son to a private hospital, further worsening his financial situation and leaving him in debt that he has yet to pay off.
Dr. Zia Ullah, a resident pediatrician, states that these soaring expenses at government hospitals deter families from seeking treatment, leading them to rely on unqualified practitioners, which further exacerbates their children’s conditions.
The financial burden from these healthcare costs often drives parents into poverty, forcing them to rely on less nutritious food for their children, resulting in malnourished kids. This creates a cycle that can lead to a future generation plagued with various diseases and ultimately a less productive society.
Similarly, Niaz Ali, a rickshaw driver, shares that he suffers from diabetes and needs five to eight insulin shots each month, which cost him one-third of his income. This financial burden forces him to rely on charity for his treatment. At times, he has to skip doses because he has to choose between buying medicine and paying for his children’s school fees, putting himself at risk of severe consequences.
The situation becomes even worse for expectant mothers who need proper nutrition and healthcare. Razia, a 33-year-old mother, says it costs them around 8,000 rupees just to travel to the hospital for antenatal care. The additional costs for ultrasounds, investigations, and other medications exhaust their savings from daily wages, leading them to rely on less nutritious food and sometimes skip meals. This results in serious consequences, jeopardizing both the mother’s and the child’s health.
“Many families defer prenatal care, which can often lead to stillbirths, miscarriages, and genetic diseases that could be prevented with early interventions”, says Dr Iqra, who is a resident gynecologist.
These aren’t isolated tales; they reflect the everyday reality for millions of people. When illness strikes, many households are forced to sell livestock or land, cut back on food, or abandon education to pay for medical expenses. Poorer families suffer the most, as treatment and medication are often unaffordable without support. This vicious cycle of illness → debt → poverty—will persist unless public funding is significantly increased.
What are Pakistan’s Initiatives?
In response to various healthcare crises, Pakistan has launched multiple initiatives. In 2015, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government launched the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) to cover healthcare expenses for individuals from targeted groups. This initiative later expanded to other provinces in Pakistan. In 2020, it was made universal for all residents of KP, and later, the federal government also expanded it to the entire population in 2022.
The inclusion of private hospitals in this program has made it more appealing, as these facilities often have better infrastructure and equipment and are more accessible than government hospitals. This has enabled people to access private healthcare services, similar to those available to higher socioeconomic groups.
Moreover, the recent increase in funding for this program in the KP government budget, from 28 billion to 35 billion, along with an extra 6 billion for the merged districts, marks a significant step toward ensuring its sustainability. As a result, healthcare has become more accessible, and many people are now seeking medical services through this program.
For instance, Abdul Wahab mentioned that he underwent three surgeries under the Sehat Card Plus Programme, which cost him very little compared to a previous surgery that had taken up two months’ worth of his salary. The inclusion of C-sections, normal deliveries, post-operative care, and other maternal surgeries has made these services more appealing, as more mothers are opting for them. This choice helps prevent delivery complications and reduces maternal mortality, thus improving maternal and child healthcare.
Similarly, surgeries such as appendectomies, gallbladder removals, and tonsillectomies, which were previously performed infrequently, have seen a significant increase in demand. More people are choosing these procedures under the Sehat Card, allowing them timely intervention and preventing potential complications.
Furthermore, the inclusion of transplant operations—such as liver, kidney, bone marrow, and cochlear implants—has made this initiative groundbreaking, as these surgeries are essential for improving the quality of life for patients who depend on them.
A recent 2024 report on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Pakistan indicates that the Service Coverage Index stood at 53.9 by the end of 2023, reflecting a 35.8% improvement since 2015 and a 2.2% increase since 2022. Although we are progressing at a relatively slow pace, this progress warrants recognition. Advancing towards UHC is a continuous effort, and acknowledging these improvements is more significant than simply achieving the goal itself.
What are the pitfalls of these initiatives?
Although these insurance initiatives have yielded promising results, the program still encounters a few challenges. Dr Seema Mohmand, a public health expert, notes that most of the participating hospitals in these programs are private. This situation means that the government is funding the private sector more than it is supporting public hospitals.
The funds for these initiatives come from the total health expenditure, leading to a focus on insurance activities rather than improvements in primary healthcare facilities. She stated that government funding is equally distributed among both the poor and the rich, which is depleting many resources. With this approach, universal health insurance may become unsustainable amid rising inflation.
Additionally, Dr. Mohmand explains that there is a lack of monitoring and accountability for these initiatives, which can result in the overuse of costly procedures performed under the program. Without proper oversight and accountability, these initiatives may struggle to break the cycle of poverty. She emphasizes that our primary aim should be “to strengthen our healthcare facilities so that even the poorest individuals can access services without having to choose between health and poverty.”
Voices from the Field
Although progress has been made in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), out-of-pocket health expenditures still account for 48.86% of total health spending. Dr. Seema Mohmand emphasizes that while UHC initiatives typically target large hospitals, there should be a particular focus on primary health care, which is a fundamental pillar of UHC. The poor in rural areas rely on these free clinics, and strengthening them would help us achieve significant breakthroughs in UHC.
Dr Awais, a public health expert, points out that healthcare funding issues from less than 1% of our GDP. With such limited funding, we cannot expand our insurance schemes to achieve UHC; substantial new budget support is essential. The government should make concerted efforts to upgrade hospital infrastructure, improve the affordability and availability of emergency medicine, and ensure access to imaging machines, electricity, and adequate staff.
These improvements are crucial so that people do not have to wait in emergency or outpatient departments while their loved ones struggle for life. Strengthening our hospitals is vital for achieving our UHC goals.
Charting the Way Forward: What Strategies Should We Adopt?
According to Dr Seema Mohmand, to break the vicious cycle of illness and poverty, policymakers must allocate more than 1% of GDP to healthcare. Health is a basic right for every individual, regardless of their financial situation. Policymakers should work to increase health funding to meet the 5% GDP goal recommended by the WHO. Special emphasis should be placed on diverting funds to primary healthcare and public hospitals so that the rural population can benefit as well.
She outlined the following key strategies:
Investment in Primary Healthcare: Strengthening local clinics, implementing preventive strategies, and training community health workers can yield significant health improvements at a low cost. This approach would greatly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, making the “Health for All” initiative a reality.
Increase Health Budget: Raise the health budget above 1% of GDP and view this as an investment that can produce broader economic benefits. Consistent efforts should be made to gradually increase health budgets without applying cuts. Tax revenues from tobacco and sugary drinks could be redirected to fund the health sector.
Expand Health Insurance: Extend health insurance programs to rural areas and local clinics to prevent diseases and minimize the transportation costs for patients traveling to larger hospitals. Ensure that the Sehat Sahulat programs are funded consistently and remain unaffected by political instability.
Limit the services to low-income individuals. Given the country’s significant debt and the large portion of our budget directed towards interest payments, it will be challenging to sustain universal health insurance if we provide equal services to all citizens. Therefore, policymakers should focus on serving the underserved, poor, and marginalized populations to alleviate the financial burden and ensure continuous funding for this program.
Promote competition among insurance companies. Currently, State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) is the only provider responsible for these services, raising concerns about its performance. Relying on a single company hinders the potential for innovative solutions. The government should encourage the involvement of multiple insurance providers to foster fair competition and enhance the quality of services offered.
Develop a national health financing network. There is currently no consensus regarding the future of this program, which is often influenced by political dynamics. A comprehensive roadmap should be established, incorporating input from all provinces and major stakeholders, to create a plan that minimizes political interference and ensures the program’s continuity, regardless of changes in government.
Invest in Public Infrastructure: Improving public healthcare facilities by enhancing staffing, providing adequate medical supplies and equipment, and ensuring bed availability so that the poorest individuals can receive treatment without having to revert to private healthcare.
Establish New Healthcare Facilities: The government should work to establish new healthcare facilities, aiming to provide services through public-private partnerships.
Support Local Pharmaceutical Companies: Assist local pharmaceutical and biotech companies to ensure affordable pricing for life-saving medications. Price control should be regulated and prevent shortages of essential medicines.
Leverage Technology: With the evolving landscape of healthcare, artificial intelligence and telemedicine should be integrated effectively. Clinicians and developers must collaborate to advance health technologies.
Strengthen International Collaboration: The government should enhance partnerships with international agencies such as the WHO and UN to secure aid and support for expanding universal health coverage. Agreements should be made with companies, facilitated by these organizations, to ensure access to innovative treatments, vaccines, and cutting-edge technologies at an affordable cost.
Call to Action
To the policymakers: Your decisions are crucial. Expanding healthcare funding can mean the difference between millions of families, like Sameer’s, facing bankruptcy or walking out of hospitals with hope. Your actions today can shape the future for generations to come.
To the pharmaceutical and technology companies: Your products must combine hope with affordability. Creating innovative breakthroughs without ensuring affordability is merely a business strategy, not a commitment to safeguarding lives.
To the service providers and the general public: The government is making significant efforts to ensure access to healthcare and minimize the financial burden on citizens. Your cooperation is crucial for the successful delivery of these services. It is essential to prevent fraudulent insurance claims and reduce the irrational use of services solely for insurance benefits. The general public is encouraged to use these healthcare privileges responsibly and only when necessary.
To the science writers: Your stories play a vital role in highlighting these gaps and holding policymakers accountable. Your voice matters and can influence the future.
Universal health coverage is a basic human right and a smart investment, yet it remains elusive in war-affected, low socioeconomic countries like Pakistan. The stories of individuals like Sameer highlight the urgent need for its implementation. Although some progress has been made, without proper financing, accountability, and improved health budgets, these initiatives will only provide superficial hope amid a growing population.
By reinforcing primary care, expanding insurance coverage, and ensuring access to treatments for the most vulnerable, we can turn the “health for all” slogan into a reality. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals demand bold changes in our healthcare policies. Let’s take action now, so no Pakistani family ever has to choose between medicine and meals.
Pakistan’s education system relies on traditional teaching methods, where students memorize textbooks to pass exams. This approach is common in schools across urban and rural areas, focusing on grades rather than building practical skills like problem-solving and teamwork. For Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education, which is vital in a country prone to floods, earthquakes, and other disasters, this method falls short. One effective way to integrate DRR into the curriculum is through interactive games and simulations.
These tools can help students to understand complex concepts, such as flood risk management and earthquake preparedness, engaging them in experimentation. By incorporating games into the learning process, educators can foster a culture of resilience and preparedness among students, ultimately contributing to a safer and more disaster-resilient community.
DRR requires practical, participatory skills and quick thinking, not just memorized facts. A new approach to DRR games is changing how students learn about disaster preparedness. These interactive games make learning engaging and memorable, offering a way to improve education across Pakistan.
By actively involving students in real-life scenarios through play, DRR games help them practice decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving in a safe environment. This approach not only strengthens their knowledge but also builds confidence to respond effectively during actual disasters. In the long run, such experiential learning can bridge the gap between awareness and action, ensuring that disaster preparedness becomes a practical skill rather than just theoretical knowledge.
The Limitations of Traditional Education
In most classrooms, the teaching method hasn’t changed much in decades. Teachers read from textbooks, write notes on blackboards, and students rush to copy them before the class ends. The goal is to finish the syllabus and prepare for exams, not to help students understand or apply what they learn. This happens in cities, towns, and villages, but rural schools face bigger challenges because they have fewer books, tools, or trained teachers. Students learn to memorize answers, not to ask questions, nor try new ideas, or take risks, as these are rarely rewarded in the current system.
For DRR education, this traditional style is a grave problem. Disasters like earthquakes, flooding, and landslides don’t wait for someone to recall a textbook chapter. DRR demands fast decisions, teamwork, and practical knowledge. Yet, DRR lessons in schools are often limited to a single talk, a poster-making contest, or an “awareness day” once a year.
Without regular practice, students forget what they learn, leaving them unprepared for real emergencies. This gap in education means many students lack the skills to stay safe or help others during a disaster, which is a critical issue in a country like Pakistan, where disasters are common.
Integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) games into school programs does not require a complete curriculum overhaul. These activities can be incorporated into existing subjects such as Social Studies, Geography, or Science. Photo, Unsplash
The Power of DRR Games
DRR games are changing traditional teaching patterns by making lessons interactive and fun. Instead of sitting quietly listening, without asking questions, students become part of a pretend disaster scenario. They take on roles, such as community leaders or emergency planners, and face challenges with limited resources.
For example, in one game, students might need to prepare a village for a flood with a small budget. They decide whether to build flood walls, improve drainage, or teach people about safety. Each choice has consequences, and the game shows them what happens, helping them understand trade-offs in a safe, controlled way.
These games make DRR feel real. Students argue, plan, and work together, turning abstract ideas into experiences they can remember. Unlike lectures, games create a space where mistakes are allowed, so even shy students feel comfortable joining in. This collaborative environment not only improves communication and leadership skills but also nurtures empathy, as students learn to consider the needs of others while making decisions. By simulating real challenges, games prepare young people to think critically and act responsibly, qualities that are essential for building resilient communities in Pakistan.
Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management, University of Peshawar, organised a DRR exhibition on 23rd February 2023. Students from various schools and university departments participated; hundreds of school children played DRR games in a single day. School Teachers often notice that school children who rarely speak in class become active and excited during these activities. By making learning feel like a team mission, DRR games help students care about what they’re learning and remember it longer.
Evidence of Impact of DRR Gaming
The Centre for Disaster Preparedness & Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar,has provided clear evidence on its LinkedIn and Facebook pages that DRR games improve children’s understanding of disasters and what they can do during emergency phases.
In schools and youth programs in Peshawar, where CDPM has introduced these activities, students show a marked improvement in their understanding of disaster preparedness. They can explain why early warning systems or safe evacuation routes are important, and they become more confident in identifying dangers such as unsafe buildings or flood-prone areas.
These sessions also sharpen teamwork and creativity. After playing a DRR game, students often suggest practical, community-specific ideas like new ways to warn residents about an approaching storm, ideas they likely wouldn’t have developed from lectures alone. In post-game discussions, they describe what they’ve learned in vivid, personal terms, unlike peers who have only attended one-way awareness talks.
One teacher from a school participating in CDPM’s program summed it up well: “In one hour, they learned what I’ve been trying to teach for months.” Even short game sessions leave a lasting impression. Students remember more, feel more prepared, and can better translate knowledge into action.
DRR games aren’t meant to replace traditional lessons but to add a hands-on dimension that makes learning stick. Embedding these games into the regular education curriculum across Pakistan, especially in remote areas, can bring a positive change in students’ understanding. CDPM brings a transition in students from simply memorizing facts to actively using their knowledge, a shift that’s essential for meeting real-world challenges.
Students perform an earthquake drill being led by Laleena Baseer at Government Girls Middle School in Araq, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Photo, UNICEF/PAKISTAN/Saiyna Bashir
Barriers to Accessing DRR Games
Adding DRR games-Despite their benefits, they are largely unavailable in educational institutions. Many schools, particularly in remote or low-income areas, have never used them due to logistical challenges and reliance on external organizations such as NGOs or universities.
As a result, these schools continue to use traditional methods, like lectures and textbooks, lacking the resources or knowledge to adopt new approaches. This leads to a disparity: students with access to DRR games develop practical emergency skills, while others receive only theoretical knowledge that is difficult to apply in real situations.
This disparity stems from unequal opportunities, not student abilities. Schools with DRR games can better prepare their students, while those without fall behind. Over time, this could create one group equipped to respond in crises and another left vulnerable due to a lack of practice. Notably, the most vulnerable are often in rural Pakistan, where disaster risk is higher.
To address this gap, schools require affordable game kits, trained teachers, and integration of DRR games into the regular curriculum. This approach ensures DRR games become a standard part of learning rather than relying on occasional external visits.
A Tool for Bigger Change
DRR games are more than just a way to teach about disasters; they provide opportunities to improve our teaching methods. Pakistan’s education system often encourages competition and memorization, whereas DRR games promote teamworking, thinking, questioning, and effective decision-making.
They allow students to practice defending their ideas and listening to others, skills that are useful in their future growth. By bringing energy to classrooms where learning is often quiet and individual, these games show students that learning can be active and exciting.
Adding DRR games to schools doesn’t mean rewriting the entire curriculum. They can easily fit into Social Studies, Geography, or Science subjects. Teachers can learn to use them in just a few hours of training. But, for a real change, schools need to experiment with these games regularly, not just once or twice a year. Consistent practice helps students develop habits of active learning, extending to other subjects, and helps create a more engaged school culture.
Recommendations for Wider Use
Integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) games into school programs does not require a complete curriculum overhaul. These activities can be incorporated into existing subjects such as Social Studies, Geography, or Science. Teachers can acquire the necessary skills to implement DRR games through brief training sessions. However, meaningful impact depends on regular and sustained use of these games throughout the academic year.
Consistent engagement with DRR games fosters active learning habits among students, which may enhance participation across other disciplines and contribute to a more interactive school environment. Schools are encouraged to institutionalize DRR games as a standard component of educational practice.
Government and education policy experts should collaborate with NGOs and universities to share resources and introduce DRR games in remote areas. Pilot programs can assess effectiveness in both urban and rural schools. These initiatives will help integrate DRR games into school curricula, enabling students across Pakistan to be better prepared and more confident.
Conclusion
DRR games equip students with essential skills for navigating disasters, fostering teamwork, and problem-solving abilities for life. Moving beyond traditional, book-based learning, DRR games offer a way to create a more engaged, resilient generation. It starts with one classroom, one game, and one group of students, working together to face a challenge that matters. Bring DRR games to your classroom and help empower the next generation today.
UNDRR – Stop Disasters! Game – Turning disaster prevention into a real-life challenge. https://www.undrr.org/news/stop-disasters-game-turns-disaster-prevention-real-life-challenge
Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre – Dissolving Disasters – Participatory role-playing game for climate risk education. https://www.climatecentre.org
Serious Games for Evacuation Training – Unity3D-based prototype for building evacuation scenarios. https://arxiv.org/abs/1303.3828
In 2012, Superstorm Sandy ravaged the U.S. East Coast, leaving devastation in its wake. But what followed was more revealing than the storm itself, a slow, painful unravelling of a system meant to help but rigged to profit. The Business of Disaster, a powerful investigative documentary by FRONTLINE and NPR, investigates the hidden truth of disaster capitalism in America under the guise of disaster management, showing how private companies, insurance firms, and government agencies turned tragedy into a business opportunity.
President Barack Obama[The Then] himself visited Staten Island, affected by the flood, which raised the hopes of a lot of the residents, thinking they would receive help and be back in their homes soon. The President put his arms around Diane Camerada while telling her that he’ll take care of it. However, three years later, they were still living in a wrecked house with sandy stormwater in their fish tank.
The heart of the documentary is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by FEMA, a federal program designed to assist homeowners with flood recovery. Business of Disaster reveals that private insurance companies administering the claims were pocketing huge fees, millions in profits, while victims were left stranded.
The town of Mantoloking, New Jersey, devastated by Superstorm Sandy, is pictured in April 2013, six months after the storm. Credit: (Julie Dermansky/Corbis via Getty Images)
Those companies bore no financial risk but were paid a third of the collected premiums, totalling around $400 million after Sandy. Meanwhile, countless homeowners like Doug Quinn were denied fair compensation. Engineers hired to inspect damaged homes often never visited the site, while reports were manipulated to reduce payouts. The very system built to support disaster victims became a mechanism for corporations to grow richer—turning human loss into lucrative business.
Doug Quin expressed his frustration as, “It makes me angry to watch the way people are profiting unfairly on other people’s misery”.
Business of Disaster also highlights the failure of New York City’s Build It Back program. Despite receiving billions in federal aid, the recovery process was plagued by inefficiency, mismanagement, and profiteering. Unqualified caseworkers were hired at high wages, consultants earned high fees, and families were forced to wait years for assistance—if they got any at all. Neighbourhoods were unevenly rebuilt. Some homes were raised, others ignored. Paperwork was lost; decisions were delayed, and trust in the government crumbled.
Relating to this slow Bureaucratic process, one of the interviewees said, “I saw that we as NYC, with all the best intentions, created a big, hard-to-understand, bureaucratic, slow, inefficient process for getting people funds or getting them back to their homes.”
This dysfunction wasn’t just technical; it was political. It exposed how aid is distributed unequally, how poor communities are left to fend for themselves, and how bureaucracy often becomes a barrier rather than a bridge. One must think about where exactly funds are being utilised. Are they sitting on an insurance officer’s coffee table in the form of an expensive antique, or are they paying for someone’s vacation abroad? Are they draped around a woman’s neck in the form of pearls?
Business of Disaster doesn’t stop at policy critique; it shows a deeper, darker pattern. When natural disasters hit, they don’t just reveal cracks in buildings; they expose cracks in society, showing us exactly how tactful, ludicrous, and heinous humans can be.
Those with privilege, connections, legal support, and financial backing often recover. But working-class families, immigrants, and marginalized groups face endless delays, denials, and displacement. It also shows how private interests, insurance companies, lobbyists, and consultants use disasters as an opportunity to secure public funds for private gain, shaping legislation and response systems to benefit themselves.
Perhaps the most haunting reflection this documentary offers lies between the lines: if this level of fraud, inefficiency, and exploitation is happening in a developed country like the U.S., what must be happening in third-world countries?
As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters, particularly in vulnerable regions like South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, many of these nations rely heavily on foreign aid and international disaster relief.
Nevertheless, without strong governance, oversight, or accountability, aid can be easily misused, misdirected, or monopolized by corrupt elites or foreign contractors. If the U.S., with all its institutions, cannot protect its citizens from disaster capitalism, what hope do developing countries have?
The Business of Disaster is more than a documentary; it is a warning. It urges us to question who benefits when tragedy strikes and whether systems meant to offer relief have become tools of exploitation.
As climate disasters become the new norm, the need for transparent, equitable, and humane recovery systems is more urgent than ever. Whether in the streets of Staten Island or the floodplains of Sindh, people deserve more than hollow promises and profit-driven aid—they deserve justice.
Hundreds died, a rescue helicopter crashed, villages submerged, families torn apart, weddings turned to funerals. These are news headlines you must have heard. But have you thought about why this all happened? We ignored nature warnings for so long, and now Pakistan is facing a climate-driven disaster.
From North to South, a surge in natural disasters has been experienced. Cloud bursts, flash floods, and landslides accompanied this season’s relentless monsoon rains. The scale of human suffering is staggering. Communities left to grapple with loss and livelihoods erased in moments. The overwhelming infrastructure in cities like Karachi and Rawalpindi could not resist the misery of citizens. Climate change is intensifying extreme events that were once rare.
The public and policymakers need to be aware of effective solutions for disaster preparedness and management. Scientia Magazine invites Dr Mujtaba Hassan to discuss the role and implications of space technologies for Pakistan’s unique challenges.
Currently, Dr Mujtaba serves as an Associate Professor at the Department of Space Science, Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad. He is also a Regular Associate of the Earth System Physics Section at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Italy, and a Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His major research areas include Climate System Dynamics, Regional Climate Modeling, Climate Variability, Extreme Weather Events, Hydrological Modeling, and Climate Change Impact Assessment on Water Resources.
Dr Mujtaba Hassan’s work focuses on the interactions between atmospheric processes and hydrological systems under a changing climate, to support climate resilience and sustainable water management in South Asia. (Credits: DSS, IST)
In this gravity-laden backdrop, we sit with Dr Hassan to discover how Pakistan can harness space technologies to build a safer and more resilient future. Here are snippets of the interview.
Hifz: To begin with, can you share a little about your aspirations and journey to leading the Space Science Department?
Dr Hassan: My journey into science has been shaped by curiosity and a deep interest in understanding the natural world. I began with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which provided a foundation to observe natural phenomena through both analytical and physical perspectives.
Building on this, I pursued a Master’s degree in Meteorology from COMSATS University Islamabad. It was during this time, particularly through my exposure to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, that I developed a fascination with atmospheric physics, climate science, and the processes that govern weather and climate systems. That experience became the turning point in defining my academic and professional path.
In 2012, I joined the Institute of Space Technology as a Lecturer in Meteorology. Later that same year, I was accepted into the PhD program at Tsinghua University in China, consistently ranked among the top 15 universities worldwide. Driven by a passion to advance climate science, I moved there on study leave to specialize in climate modeling, extreme events, and their hydrological impacts. I studied at a globally renowned institution, which enhanced my research skills and gave me the confidence to contribute to international discussions on climate change and environmental science.
After completing my PhD in 2016, I returned to IST and resumed my role with a renewed vision for research and teaching. In 2022, I was promoted to Associate Professor and appointed as Head of Department in October 2023.
Now I lead a dynamic department that offers undergraduate programs in Space Science and Physics, as well as advanced Master’s programs in Remote Sensing & GIS, GNSS, and Astrophysics. I also teach courses in atmospheric physics, hydrometeorology, climate system dynamics, and climate change adaptation at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
For me, this journey has always been about more than just academic milestones; it has been about inspiring students, advancing scientific knowledge, and connecting research with real-world challenges. I aspire to continue expanding the frontiers of space and climate sciences in Pakistan, equipping the next generation of scientists to address pressing issues of climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and space applications.
Hifz: How would you describe the current state of climate variability in Pakistan? Are we witnessing a shift?
Dr Hassan: The answer is yes. Pakistan is currently experiencing significant climatic changes. These developments represent not merely variability but a fundamental shift in temperature, precipitation, and hydrological patterns.
Over the decades, the country has warmed faster than the global average, and the signs are undeniable. Summers are hotter, heatwaves arrive earlier and stay longer, and temperatures in places like Jacobabad now touch the very limits of human survival. At the same time, rainfall is becoming less predictable but far more destructive. The monsoon is no longer a gentle season; it can now unleash devastating cloudbursts in a matter of hours.
The warning signs have been building for over a decade. In 2010, unprecedented monsoon rains submerged nearly one-fifth of the country, displacing millions and leaving a humanitarian crisis in their wake. Twelve years later, in 2022, another catastrophic monsoon hit, this time bringing rainfall so intense that scientists confirmed climate change had made it far more likely. Those floods killed over 1,700 people and caused damage estimated at $40 billion, making them one of the costliest disasters in Pakistan’s history.
Maps showing the comparison of areas affected by the floods in 2010 and 2022. (Credits: Al Jazeera)
Fast forward to 2025, and the picture is even clearer. In August, cloudbursts and flash floods tore through Buner and Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming more than 300 lives and washing away entire communities. Just weeks earlier, in Gilgit-Baltistan, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) had burst through mountain valleys, destroying roads, bridges, and villages. These back-to-back disasters underline a new reality: what once felt like once-in-a-generation events are now recurring with alarming frequency.
Cloudbursts and flash floods tore through Buner and Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Credits: Associated Press of Pakistan)
In Pakistan’s high mountains, another story is unfolding. While glaciers across the Himalayas and Hindu Kush are retreating rapidly, the Karakoram range has behaved differently. Known as the “Karakoram anomaly,” some glaciers have remained stable or even advanced slightly. But this is not a sign of safety; it is a regional exception caused by unique weather patterns.
Scientists warn that even this anomaly is unlikely to last as global temperatures continue to rise. The melting of our “water towers” will profoundly reshape river flows, agriculture, and hydropower in the coming decades.
So yes, Pakistan is already in the midst of a climatic shift. The baseline is hotter, extremes are more dangerous, and mountain systems are under stress. What were once extraordinary events are now becoming disturbingly common. The challenge ahead is clear: to strengthen early warning systems, redesign infrastructure for extreme situations, and prepare communities for a future that will be hotter, wetter, and less predictable.
Hifz: What have been the most alarming findings regarding climate change effects on Pakistan?
Dr Hassan: Perhaps the most unsettling reality is that Pakistan, despite contributing less than 1 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. The evidence emerging from scientific studies paints a stark picture.
We are witnessing a rise in temperature extremes, with heatwaves now arriving earlier, lasting longer, and reaching unprecedented intensities. In recent years, parts of Sindh and southern Punjab have recorded some of the world’s highest temperatures, directly impacting human health, agriculture, and energy demand.
Another alarming signal is the tightening link between climate change and water insecurity. With rainfall variability, reduced snow cover, and changing river flows, Pakistan’s agriculture, the backbone of its economy, faces unprecedented challenges. This, combined with rapid urbanization and population growth, raises serious concerns about food security, public health, and internal migration in the decades ahead.
Urbanization and population growth raise serious concerns about food security, public health, and internal migration (Credits: AP Photo/Zahid Hussain)
In short, science tells us that climate change in Pakistan is not a distant scenario. It is unfolding now; in our heatwaves, in our floods, in our glaciers, and in our water cycle. The most alarming finding is not any single event, but rather the accelerating pace at which these multiple risks are converging.
Hifz: Climate change has become a driver of extreme weather events. How can spatial data and predictive models support policymakers and shape climate-resilient infrastructure and planning?
Dr Hassan: Spatial data and predictive models are not just scientific tools; they are decision-making compasses in an era of climate uncertainty. For Pakistan, where floods, heatwaves, and glacial hazards are intensifying, they provide the evidence base needed to design smarter, climate-resilient infrastructure.
High-resolution satellite imagery and GIS-based mapping allow policymakers to visualize risk in space and time. For instance, floodplain maps can identify where river overflows are most likely, helping ensure that settlements, roads, and power plants are built outside high-risk zones. Similarly, glacial monitoring highlights vulnerable valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan, guiding the placement of protective walls, early-warning sirens, and evacuation routes.
Predictive models add a forward-looking lens. By simulating different climate and hydrological scenarios, these models can estimate how a city like Karachi may respond to rising sea levels or how future monsoon shifts could affect dams and irrigation systems. This foresight enables investments in resilient housing, elevated highways, and adaptive irrigation systems that can withstand tomorrow’s climate realities rather than yesterday’s.
Perhaps most importantly, spatial data makes climate science accessible to decision-makers. When a minister can see, on a map, the overlap between poverty hotspots and flood risk zones, the urgency of climate adaptation becomes tangible. It transforms climate resilience from abstract policy into targeted, evidence-driven action.
Integrating spatial data and predictive modeling into planning is Pakistan’s best chance at moving from crisis response to climate resilience.
Hifz: How can the integration of GIS and space technologies transform disaster management in Pakistan?
Dr Hassan: Pakistan is on the frontline of climate hazards, from erratic monsoons and prolonged droughts to flash floods and GLOFs. In this context, GIS and space technologies offer a transformative edge.
Through satellite-based remote sensing, we can monitor rainfall anomalies, snowmelt, and glacier movements in real time. When layered into GIS platforms, this data produces risk maps that highlight flood-prone valleys, vulnerable settlements, and critical infrastructure.
The impact is threefold:
Early warning – Predicting heavy rainfall or GLOF events with higher accuracy and communicating risks directly to communities.
Emergency response – Rapid satellite flood-mapping, as seen during the 2022 floods and again in the 2025 Swat and Buner flash floods, helps relief agencies prioritize the hardest-hit areas.
Long-term resilience – Identifying climate hotspots to guide safer urban planning, resilient agriculture, and climate-adaptive infrastructure.
In essence, integrating GIS with space-based monitoring shifts disaster management from reactive relief to proactive resilience, a critical step as Pakistan faces intensifying climate extremes.
Hifz: Can you elaborate on the functions and benefits of Automatic Weather Stations, Weather Forecasting Models, and Hydrological Forecasting Models in avoiding tragedies?
Dr Hassan: When we talk about extreme weather events in Pakistan, such as flash floods or cloudbursts, the challenge is not just their intensity but also their suddenness. The difference between a tragedy and a near-miss often comes down to minutes or hours of warning. This is where modern forecasting technologies play a transformative role.
Automatic Weather Stations provide the first layer of defense by feeding us real-time information on rainfall, wind, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. This constant flow of data makes it possible to detect rapid changes in local weather systems, the kind of changes that precede a cloudburst. Once this information is captured, forecasting models step in. By assimilating these observations, numerical weather prediction models simulate the atmosphere and give us an early indication of how a storm cell is likely to evolve, where it may intensify, and how quickly it may strike.
Automatic Weather Stations are installed in Pakistan, providing real-time information on rainfall, wind, temperature, and atmospheric pressure. (Credits: ProPakistani)
But forecasting the rain alone is not enough. The next question is: what happens once that rain hits the ground? Hydrological models help answer this by simulating how rivers, catchments, and glacial lakes will respond to heavy precipitation. In a mountainous region like northern Pakistan, where the risk of flash floods and GLOF events is high, these models are indispensable. They allow us to anticipate the downstream impact of a cloudburst, which valleys may flood, which communities are at risk, and how much time is available to act.
The integration of these systems creates a chain of foresight, turning raw weather data into actionable warnings. We saw during the 2010 super floods, the 2022 climate-induced flooding, and the 2025 flash floods in Buner and Swat, along with the GLOF event in Gilgit-Baltistan, that the cost of weak forecasting capacity is measured in thousands of lives and billions in damages. Strengthening these tools means moving toward a future where Pakistan is not caught off guard by climate extremes, but rather anticipates them with science-driven preparedness.
Hifz: What role do scientific tools play in early warning systems or disaster risk reduction planning in Pakistan?
Dr Hassan: Scientific tools are the backbone of any effective early warning and disaster risk reduction strategy. In a country like Pakistan, where climate extremes are intensifying, their role is not optional; it is essential.
Today, Automatic Weather Stations, satellite-based observations, Doppler radars, and high-resolution forecasting models enable us to track evolving weather systems in real time. For instance, a storm cell forming over the Arabian Sea can be monitored from its inception, its trajectory simulated, and its potential impact zones mapped hours to days in advance. This transforms our approach from reactive to proactive.
Equally important are hydrological and flood forecasting models, which translate rainfall data into real-world impacts. Instead of merely knowing that it will rain heavily in northern Pakistan, these models tell us how rivers like the Swat or Indus will respond, which communities may be inundated, and how much lead time is available for evacuation.
Space technologies further strengthen this chain. Satellites provide near-instantaneous information on cloud formation, glacial melt, soil moisture, and land use, all of which feed into predictive models. This integration has been critical in monitoring high-mountain hazards such as GLOFs, where minutes of warning can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.
When these tools are embedded into disaster risk reduction planning, they do more than issue warnings; they guide long-term resilience. Governments can identify vulnerable zones, design flood defenses, plan evacuation routes, and even adjust cropping calendars to align with changing climate patterns.
The reality is that technology does not stop disasters from happening, but it does ensure that when nature strikes, Pakistan is informed, prepared, and better positioned to protect lives and livelihoods.
Hifz: What challenges do you face in translating technical geospatial insights into policy-level action? There are certain challenges, like an ignorant public, unsupportive authorities, and a lack of awareness. How can you cope with such challenges in practical scenarios?
Dr Hassan: Translating complex geospatial and climate insights into meaningful policy or community action is never straightforward. The biggest challenge is the communication gap. Scientific models and maps are full of technical variables, probabilities, and uncertainties, while policymakers and communities need clear, actionable messages.
Telling a minister that rainfall intensity will increase by 20 percent often fails to resonate, but showing that this translates into thousands of homes at flood risk immediately changes the conversation.
Another obstacle is the short-term mindset of both authorities and the public. Policy cycles are often focused on immediate political or economic priorities, while communities may underestimate risks that feel distant or abstract. This was evident in the years before the devastating floods of 2010, 2022, and the more recent 2025 events, where early warnings existed, but limited awareness and preparedness magnified the tragedy.
Overcoming these barriers requires a multi-layered approach. For policymakers, we convert technical findings into economic and social terms, highlighting how proactive planning saves billions in recovery costs.
For the public, we invest in awareness campaigns, school programs, and local-language trainings, helping vulnerable communities understand phenomena like cloudbursts or GLOFs in ways that directly relate to their safety and livelihoods.
Persistence and partnerships are equally crucial. Authorities may be unsupportive at first, but consistent engagement, backed by evidence and supported by NGOs, international donors, and local governments, gradually creates a culture of trust.
When science is framed not as abstract data, but as a tool for protecting lives, homes, and futures, resistance gives way to collaboration. The key lies in humanizing science; turning maps into stories, numbers into impacts, and forecasts into community action. Only then can technical insights truly shape resilience on the ground.
Hifz: How do educational institutions help train people for disaster management, as more than the government, people need to learn it?
Dr Hassan: Educational institutions are at the frontline of building a culture of resilience. Governments may set policies, but it is ultimately people, families, communities, and professionals who must understand risks and respond effectively during disasters.
Universities and schools have the responsibility not only to create knowledge but also to translate it into practical skills that save lives. At the Department of Space Science, IST, we place a strong emphasis on training students in atmospheric and climate sciences, disaster risk modeling, and geospatial applications.
Our students learn to analyze real data, run forecasting models, and develop community-centered solutions. Many of my own graduates, whom I had the privilege to supervise during their final-year projects and theses, are now working with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and related organizations. Their expertise is directly contributing to early warning systems, climate impact assessments, and risk preparedness strategies at the national level.
Beyond technical training, educational institutions also nurture a mindset of responsibility and awareness. When students understand how a cloudburst can devastate a valley or how mismanaged urban planning worsens flooding, they become advocates for resilience in their own communities. In this way, universities act as both incubators of expertise and multipliers of awareness.
Ultimately, disaster management is not the job of the government alone. It is a shared responsibility, and by equipping young scientists and citizens with knowledge and skills, educational institutions ensure that resilience begins long before the next emergency.
