Pakistan has been ranked among the countries with the highest exposure to both conflict and natural disasters, according to the World Risk Index 2024 report, published by Germany’s Ruhr University Bochum — Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV).
The report highlights the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of global crises, including conflicts, extreme weather events, and pandemics. In the latest rankings, Pakistan has re-entered the top 10 countries with the highest exposure to conflict, replacing China.
The report emphasizes that global risk hotspots are concentrated in the Americas and Asia, with eight of the top 10 countries located in these regions. It warns that these hotspots are expected to shift over time to countries with high vulnerability and climate-sensitive exposure, particularly in Africa.
As climate change intensifies, the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are expected to increase, exacerbating risks in vulnerable regions.
The global water crisis, in particular, is cited as a major concern, with rising instances of heavy rainfall, storms, floods, droughts, and crop failures threatening food security and potentially escalating conflicts.
This year’s report underscores the urgent need for effective disaster risk management and highlights the critical importance of addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that amplify the impacts of natural disasters and conflicts.
