Disaster and Disability: A Qualitative Study of the 2005 Earthquake in District Bagh, Azad Kashmir

Abstract

This research explores the long-term experiences of individuals who became disabled due to the 2005 earthquake in Bagh Azad Kashmir. The study adopts a qualitative methodology to understand the long-term psychological, social, and economic difficulties that survivors face and the coping mechanisms they adopt to adjust to their new realities. The findings bring out a raft of significant issues: PTSD, social exclusion, financial dependency, and limited access to healthcare, employment, and assistive devices. Survivors reported feelings of isolation and loss of identity but showed resilience through family support, community involvement, and spiritual practices. Using the Social Model of Disability, the research shows how systemic barriers, such as inaccessible infrastructure and societal stigma, increase the challenges faced by disabled individuals. The study calls for the need for all-inclusive disaster recovery policies that address enhanced mental health services, vocational training programs, accessible infrastructure, and anti-stigma campaigns that ensure survivors with disabilities are integrated into the mainstream of society. These findings aim to better inform the equitable management of disasters, addressing the distinct needs of the most marginalized populations.