Covid-19 complicates Kashmiris struggle for survival

Conflict zones are always vulnerable to spread of infection and disease. Containing infectious diseases in these zones is challenging because health emergencies, to begin with, are never the top priority of the administering authorities. Moreover, health infrastructure in such places is, in most of the cases, weak, disease surveillance is inadequate and generally disease control programs, and infection control practices are non-existent.
The situation of the conflict zones is even more precarious in the Covid-19 pandemic in which every country around the world is focused on protecting itself and the wellbeing of its own citizens. This has, therefore, taken away the world’s focus from some of the most vulnerable people.
Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is among the high-risk zones for novel Coronavirus disease. Among other reasons, Kashmir’s proximity with the affected regions has also contributed to its vulnerability.
The disputed territory, which has been enduring Indian state’s harsh repressive measures for over seven decades, has remained under a tight lockdown and communication blockade for months since India annexed the region on August 5, 2019 by revoking its special status. Read More…

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The Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) is a nonpartisan, independent policy research institute based in Islamabad. Our goal is to undertake in-depth analysis of challenges and choices confronting Pakistan. We aim to help policymakers and public better understand the world, region and Pakistan-specific challenges and opportunities. We make efforts to engage government, civil society, private sector, media, academia in open debates and dialogue on the most significant developments in national and international affairs. We envision contributing to policy-making through periodic policy-papers putting forward policy-recommendations developed in collaboration with experts and stakeholders in each area. IPI takes no institutional position on policy issues.

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