Evaluating Preparedness and Crisis Governance in Humanitarian Response; A Case Study of District Administration Hangu’s Relief Operations for TDPs of Kurram District
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63163/jpehss.v4i1.1305Abstract
This Individual Professional Case Study examines the preparedness and crisis governance capacity of the District Administration Hangu in responding to the sudden influx of TDPs from District Kurram following the Baggan incident of November 2024. The case analyzes how a district administration, operating under acute time constraints and limited financial, legal, and logistical resources, managed a large-scale humanitarian emergency at its doorstep. The study critically evaluates administrative decision-making, inter-agency coordination, legal mandates, and operational execution across the phases of camp establishment, relief provision, emergency declaration, and camp closure. It highlights structural gaps in district-level disaster preparedness, including the absence of pre-approved contingency plans, delayed financial mobilization, and weak institutional linkage with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). A comparative reflection with the North Waziristan TDP response (2014) underscores the importance of institutionalized preparedness over ad hoc administrative responses. The case concludes that while the District Administration Hangu demonstrated adaptability, commitment, and field-level leadership, the humanitarian response remained largely reactive and personality-driven. The study recommends targeted administrative and legal reforms to strengthen district-level disaster governance, enhance financial and operational readiness, and embed preparedness mechanisms to ensure timely, coordinated, and dignified humanitarian responses in future crises.
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