COVID-19 and Disaster Vulnerability in Pakistan: A Human Rights Based Analysis The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily repre- sent those of the United Nations, including UNDP or the UN Member States. UNDP has copyrights to all photographs used in the report. For contributions and feedback, please email us at:
[email protected] November 2020 Authors: Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha Ms. Ayesha Amjad Qaisrani Ms. Maham Liaqat Mughal Mr. Salman Asif Design & Layout: Mr. Bilal Safdar MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN COVID-19 and Disaster Vulnerability in Pakistan A HUMAN RIGHTS BASED ANALYSIS MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, PAKISTAN COVID-19 and Disaster Vulnerability in Pakistan i A Human Rights Based Analysis Minister’s Message It would be an understatement to say that the world today is going through a difficult time. Never have the capacities of the governments around the world been challenged to protect their people to this extent before in our living memories. COVID-19 is beyond just a health problem. Its multifaceted impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world make it a human rights issue at its core and demand a people-centred approach by the governments. In view of the dire situation, I congratulate the Government of Pakistan for its early success in flattening the curve and offering a wide range of relief and rehabilitation services as its duty to its people. While the government had to take some harsh decisions that impacted the normal course of life, it stands fully cognizant of its responsibility of protecting the rights of its DR.