Comparison with Pakistan: Similarities and Differences
Comparing the mangrove restoration case from the Philippines with Pakistan shows strong similarities in climate vulnerability, while the solutions differ in scale and consistency.
Natural hazards and climate change impacts:
Pakistan commonly faces floods, cyclones (along the Sindh–Baluchistan coast), heatwaves, droughts, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of floods, unpredictable monsoon rainfall, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise—similar to how typhoons are intensifying in the Philippines.
Areas facing the greatest impacts:
The most affected areas include coastal Sindh (Thatta, Badin, Indus Delta) due to sea intrusion and cyclones, riverine areas along the Indus due to flooding, and northern regions affected by melting glaciers. Like Leyte and Samar in the Philippines, these areas depend heavily on natural ecosystems for protection and livelihoods.
Most affected communities and why: Poor coastal communities, fisherfolk, small farmers, and informal settlers are the most affected. They rely directly on natural resources, live in hazard-prone locations, and have limited access to infrastructure, savings, or insurance. Women and children are disproportionately impacted due to livelihood insecurity and limited decision-making power—similar to pre-restoration conditions in the Philippines.
Local coping and adaptation methods:
Communities in Pakistan use local strategies such as raising house plinths, seasonal migration, traditional flood warning practices, and small-scale mangrove planting in coastal areas. In the Indus Delta, mangrove restoration has shown benefits similar to the Philippines by reducing erosion and supporting fisheries, though community ownership is sometimes weaker.
Institutional and external support:
The Government of Pakistan, through initiatives like the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program, provincial forest departments, and disaster management authorities, supports ecosystem restoration and disaster response. NGOs such as WWF-Pakistan, IUCN, and local organizations work on mangrove restoration, climate resilience, and livelihood diversification. International donors and UN agencies provide technical and financial support, similar to NGO–university partnerships seen in the Philippines.
Overall comparison:
Both countries face climate-driven disasters and ecosystem degradation, but the Philippines example shows stronger community-led action and women’s leadership at the local level. In Pakistan, efforts are often more top-down, with growing but still uneven community participation. Strengthening local ownership—especially involving women and youth—could make Pakistan’s nature-based solutions more sustainable and resilient, much like the mangrove success seen in the Philippines.