Do natural disasters change savings and employment choices : evidence from Pakistan
Date
2018-02
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Abstract
The paper explores to what extent households adjust their savings and income strategies in response to floods. Using a detailed panel dataset that was assembled concurrently with two major flood events in Pakistan, evidence shows household economic adjustments. However, these appear to be temporary: affected farmers move away from agriculture as an immediate response to floods, but they return within a year. Flood affected households allocate a significant portion of their post-flood income to replenish livestock and seeds. The findings have policy implications in terms of strategies to develop nonfarm employment, and in financing economic migration to reduce income vulnerability.
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Keywords
SEMI-ARID REGIONS, FLOODING, RURAL LIVELIHOODS, EMPLOYMENT, NATURAL DISASTERS, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, PAKISTAN, SOUTH ASIA