KARACHI, Pakistan’s bustling metropolis known for its mild winters, has been grappling with an alarming and heart-breaking crisis. Over just one and a half months, the city’s cold weather has claimed the lives of 43 individuals. Tragi-cally, the majority of these victims were drug addicts found lying on footpaths, exposed to the unforgiving chill of the season. This grim statistic underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect the city’s homeless and marginalized populations from extreme weather conditions.
Among the millions who call Karachi home, an estimated 60,000 are homeless. These individuals, including men, women, and children, find refuge in makeshift shelters, on pavements, and in open spaces, battling not only societal neglect but also the elements. Many of them struggle with addiction, a condition that exacerbates their vulnerability. Drug addiction often leads to weakened immune systems and impaired judgment, leaving individuals unable to protect themselves adequately during extreme weather. For many in this demographic, the cold is not merely uncomfortable; it is life-threatening.?
Without proper shelter, warm clothing, or access to medical care, these individuals are left defenseless against plum-meting temperatures? Hypothermia, respiratory infections, and other cold-related illnesses become the silent killers stalking Karachi’s streets during winter nights. The deaths of these 43 individuals are not isolated incidents but part of a recurring pattern that reflects the broader systemic neglect of the homeless population in Pakistan.
Despite the in-creasing severity of winters, Karachi’s infrastructure and social services remain ill-equipped to address the needs of its most vulnerable residents. Emergency shelters are either non-existent or insufficient in capacity, leaving thousands to fend for themselves. Public health experts and activists have long warned about the devastating impact of cold weather on marginalized populations. Yet, year after year, the response remains reactive rather than proactive. Temporary measures such as distributing blankets or setting up ad hoc shelters often fall short of addressing the root causes of homelessness and poverty. Drug addiction plays a draconian role in this crisis. Many of the deceased individuals were long-time addicts, whose lives were already teetering on the edge due to substance abuse and neglect. Addiction is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness, creating a vicious cycle that is hard to break. The stigma associated with drug use often leads to these individuals being ignored or ostracized, further limiting their access to support systems.
Rehabilitation centres in Karachi are few and far between, and those that do exist are often underfunded and over-stretched. The lack of accessible and affordable treatment options leaves many addicts without a pathway to recovery, forcing them to survive in dire conditions on the streets. Countries around the world have implemented various strate-gies to protect homeless individuals during extreme weather conditions, offering valuable lessons for Karachi. For instance, cities in the United States and Europe operate “cold weather shelters” that open during winter months to provide temporary refuge. Some governments also deploy outreach teams to distribute warm clothing, food, and med-ical supplies to those who choose to remain outdoors. In Japan, innovative approaches such as heated public benches and temporary winter shelters have been used to combat hypothermia among the homeless.
These initiatives demon-strate that targeted, well-funded programmes can save lives and offer a measure of dignity to society’s most vulner-able members.
Addressing Karachi’s cold weather crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond temporary relief meas-ures. Policymakers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and citizens need to come together to create a sustain-able framework to protect the city’s homeless population. Every life lost to the cold is a stark reminder of the human cost of inaction. The stories of those who died—their struggles, their dreams, and their untimely deaths—highlight the urgent need for change. As Karachi continues to grow, so too does the responsibility to ensure that no one is left be-hind. Karachi needs more permanent shelters equipped with necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care to handle large numbers of people during emergencies. The city also needs more rehabilitation centres, with affordable and accessible treatment options, to combat drug addiction and break the cycle of homelessness and vulnerability.
The city’s [Karachi] infrastructure and social support systems need to be strengthened to ensure that no one has to sleep on the streets, exposed to life-threatening conditions. The city’s cold weather crisis is not merely a humanitarian issue but a test of its collective conscience. Protecting the most vulnerable members of society is not just a moral obli-gation; it is a measure of a city’s strength and resilience. Karachi’s cold weather deaths serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, civil society, and citizens alike. The city can prevent such tragedies in the future by addressing the root causes of homelessness, expanding support systems, and fostering a culture of compassion. Ensuring that every indi-vidual has access to shelter, warmth, and care is not just a matter of survival—it is a matter of humanity.
—The writer is Educator at SELD, Sindh.
