Earthquake and Resilience: Reimagining Recovery in Chipursun Valley

Introduction

On 19 January at 11:24 a.m., a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Chipursun Valley in Gojal, Hunza-an ecologically fragile and seismically active region of Gilgit-Baltistan. 

The earthquake caused extensive damage in the villages of Zoodkhun, Shitmerg, and Ispanj while surrounding settlements sustained partial damage and remain vulnerable due to ongoing aftershocks and extreme winter conditions. Beyond the immediate physical destruction, the earthquake disrupted livelihoods, social networks, cultural practices, and psychological well-being, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to disaster recovery.

From a personal perspective, my involvement as a social worker in the Attabad disaster rehabilitation process provided invaluable insights into both the strengths and challenges of post-disaster interventions. During that process, I observed that effective rehabilitation depends not only on emergency relief but also on the strategic integration of data-driven planning, community participation, and long-term resilience strategies. One of the foremost lessons I learned is the critical importance of generating transparent and reliable data on damages, as accurate and verified data collection forms the foundation for all short- and long-term rehabilitation planning. Such data enables stakeholders to prioritize interventions, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure accountability to affected communities (Sphere Association, 2018).

Moreover, my experience highlighted that disaster-affected populations often face compounding vulnerabilities, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and disruption of social networks. In Chipursun Valley, these challenges are amplified by extreme winter conditions and geographical isolation. Therefore, designing multi-input rehabilitation programs requires careful coordination among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Transparent data collection not only informs immediate relief efforts but also facilitates evidence-based planning for sustainable recovery initiatives such as housing reconstruction, livelihood restoration, and psychosocial support (World Health Organization [WHO], 2013).

In addition, the Attabad experience emphasized the value of integrated approaches that combine technical expertise with local knowledge. Engaging affected communities in participatory damage assessments improves data reliability while fostering local ownership and trust in the rehabilitation process. Such strategies are particularly relevant in high-mountain contexts like Chipursun Valley, where environmental, cultural, and social complexities demand context-sensitive solutions. By emphasizing transparent data collection, multi-stakeholder coordination, and community-centered planning, the rehabilitation of Chipursun Valley can move beyond immediate relief toward building resilience, safeguarding livelihoods, and nurturing the diverse aspirations of affected communities.

Seismic Vulnerabilities and Humanitarian Impacts:
Earthquakes in mountainous regions frequently expose pre-existing structural, environmental, and governance vulnerabilities. In Chipursun Valley, the collapse of houses, livestock shelters, fodder stores, schools, health facilities, religious spaces, and communication networks revealed the compounded effects of seismic risk, climatic stress, and limited disaster preparedness. The displacement of affected families to lower parts of Gojal-Hunza, coupled with prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures in temporary shelters, significantly intensified humanitarian needs. Simultaneously, persistent aftershocks generated fear, anxiety, and trauma, underscoring the necessity of integrating psychosocial care into post-disaster recovery (WHO, 2013). Recognizing these vulnerabilities is essential to plan both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation initiatives that can strengthen community resilience.

Lessons from Attabad: Data-Driven Planning and Community Participation
The Attabad disaster provided critical lessons regarding the importance of accurate, transparent data for both emergency relief and sustainable recovery. Participatory damage assessments, verified with community representatives, enhance the reliability of data while fostering local trust and ownership. These practices allow for evidence-based prioritization of interventions and ensure that resources are directed to the most affected and vulnerable populations. In high-mountain contexts such as Chipursun Valley, where environmental and social complexities intersect, community-centered planning becomes indispensable for the success of rehabilitation programs.
Short-Term Recovery Measures: Relief, Psychosocial Support, and Rapid Assessment
Short-term recovery measures must focus on immediate humanitarian relief, rapid assessment, and psychosocial support.

 Immediate relief includes the distribution of food, blankets, winter clothing, medical supplies, and clean water, alongside provision of thermally insulated temporary shelters. Additionally, the deployment of mobile medical and psychological support teams is crucial to address acute health and mental health needs.
Rapid, transparent damage assessments are critical for understanding the scale of impact on households, infrastructure, and livelihoods. These assessments should be participatory, involving local representatives to verify data and enhance reliability. Concurrently, psychosocial support programs, including counseling for children, women, and the elderly, as well as community support groups and trauma-informed activities, are necessary to restore social cohesion and reduce long-term psychological distress.

Residents of Chipurson are living in tents in extreme cold winters.

Long-Term Recovery Strategies: Resilience, Livelihoods, and Cultural Sustainability
Long-term rehabilitation strategies must focus on risk-informed reconstruction, livelihood restoration, and cultural and ecological sustainability. Risk-informed reconstruction includes implementing earthquake-resistant building codes, conducting seismic hazard mapping, and engaging communities in rebuilding schools, health centers, and public infrastructure.

Livelihood restoration is equally critical. In agriculture, promoting climate-smart farming practices, rehabilitating irrigation systems, providing improved seeds, establishing storage facilities, and offering farmer training can ensure food security and income restoration. In livestock, the high-altitude management of yaks and mountain cattle, strengthening veterinary services, improving fodder availability, and developing value chains for animal products can support sustainable economic recovery. Youth-oriented programs, including vocational training and entrepreneurship initiatives based on area-specific need analysis, are essential for long-term economic resilience.

Cultural and ecological sustainability should be integrated into recovery plans. Supporting equine culture and restoring polo grounds preserves intangible heritage, while promoting eco-tourism and religious tourism, such as at the Baba Ghundi Shrine, can provide local income through community-led, low-impact initiatives. Similarly, regulated trophy hunting and wildlife conservation programs, implemented with transparent benefit-sharing, can strengthen both biodiversity protection and economic opportunities.

Economic and Ecological Opportunities: Trade, Tourism, and Environmental Governance
Regional connectivity and trade can play a key role in recovery. Reviving seasonal barter trade with neighboring Wakhan and Kyrgyz regions within regulated frameworks enhances income diversification and food security. Furthermore, any mineral exploration must follow strict environmental regulations, mandatory environmental impact assessments, and community consent processes to ensure ecological sustainability in fragile mountain ecosystems.
Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness
Community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) is essential for long-term resilience. School-based education and awareness programs, early warning systems, evacuation planning, and emergency drills strengthen local preparedness. Institutionalizing local disaster management committees ensures intergenerational resilience and empowers communities to manage future risks effectively.
Coordination Mechanisms and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) should lead coordination, supported by provincial and federal governments. Partnerships with experienced humanitarian and technical organizations such as the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) and FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance can improve technical quality, accountability, and capacity building. Establishing a one-window coordination mechanism involving affected communities ensures transparency, equity, and local ownership throughout the recovery process.

Conclusion: From Recovery to Resilience
The rehabilitation of Chipursun Valley should serve as a pilot model for integrated recovery planning across all seismic-prone regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. By documenting lessons learned, embedding resilience into development planning, and adopting best practices from previous disasters, reactive response can evolve into proactive risk governance.

Disasters do not extinguish aspirations; they reshape them. Recovery must respect and nurture the diverse dreams of affected communities, including safety, dignity, cultural continuity, and sustainable livelihoods. A holistic rehabilitation approach can move beyond rebuilding what was lost toward imagining what is possible, offering a model of resilience rooted in culture, ecology, and collective responsibility.

References 
Government of Pakistan. (2021). National disaster management plan. National Disaster Management Authority.
Sphere Association. (2018). The Sphere handbook: Humanitarian charter and minimum standards in humanitarian response. Sphere Association.
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. (2015). Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030. UNDRR.
World Health Organization. (2013). Building back better: Sustainable mental health care after emergencies. WHO.