Moachh Goth

Host Community of 2022 Flood Affectees

Moachh Goth, located in Union Council No. 3 of Keamari Town in Karachi’s Keamari district, serves as a vivid example of the intersection between climate displacement and conflict-induced migration. With a population estimated between 150,000 to 200,000, according to local accounts, Moachh Goth embodies the challenges and complexities faced by communities in transition. Its origins can be traced back to Bohri Muhallah, once called Bewah Colony, a settlement that emerged in the late 1990s when MPA Lal Bakhsh Bhutto allocated plots for widowed women. This initial act of support led to the formation of Bewah Colony, which, over time, was reclassified as a *Kachi Abadi* (informal settlement) and subsequently renamed Bohri Muhallah. As the population surged and expanded beyond its original boundaries, Moachh Goth came into being.

This community has historically been a convergence point for those seeking refuge from the dual pressures of climate and conflict. Predominantly inhabited by the Baloch, Moachh Goth also comprises Sindhi, Kachhi, Khaskheli, and various other ethnic groups, creating a mosaic of multilingual and multiethnic residents. This diversity is both a strength and a source of underlying tensions. The neighborhoods within Moachh Goth are numerous, ranging from Kachelo 1 and 2, which are primarily inhabited by migrants, to smaller enclaves like Sindhi Muhallah and Shaikh Muhallah, and larger areas such as Kachhi Para. Other notable sections include Qasim Shah Sindhi Muhallah, Mianwali Para, Noor Shah Wala Para, Sparco Road, and Pathan Colony, each contributing to the area’s unique socio-cultural fabric.

A crucial aspect of Moachh Goth is the presence of Murshid Hospital, a key healthcare provider in the region. The hospital has been a vital institution for the residents, offering much-needed medical care to an area that often grapples with limited access to public health services. The importance of Murshid Hospital was further underscored during Pakistan’s catastrophic floods of 2022 when Moachh Goth played an essential role as a host community for flood-affected individuals. A tent city was established in the vicinity of Murshid Hospital, providing temporary shelter and relief to those displaced by the climate disaster. This gesture of solidarity highlighted the resilience and empathy of Moachh Goth’s residents, who, despite their own struggles, opened their community to support fellow citizens in crisis.

The settlement’s history is marked by waves of migration influenced by climate events, such as droughts and floods, and conflict-induced displacement due to violence and gang wars. These intersecting factors have forged a community that is constantly in flux, balancing the hope of stability with the fear of further upheaval. During the Lyari gang war, for instance, Moachh Goth was significantly affected due to its geographical proximity and socio-cultural linkages to Lyari. The violence that stemmed from this period of conflict had far-reaching repercussions, particularly for areas like Kachhi Para and Baloch Muhallah. The gang war, which began as a struggle for territorial control, exposed underlying ethnic and communal divisions. The violence saw incidents of looting, targeted assaults on young girls, and killings, creating a climate of fear that forced nearly the entire population of Kachhi Para to flee in search of safety.

These dynamics illustrate the intricate relationship between climate displacement and conflict within Moachh Goth. The community's evolution reflects a dual narrative: one of resilience amid adversity and another of perpetual vulnerability. Climate events have repeatedly displaced people from rural areas, compelling them to seek refuge in places like Moachh Goth, where they encounter both opportunities and challenges. The area’s multiethnic composition, with each community navigating its own claim to belonging and identity, has created a landscape where peace and conflict coexist. While the community bonds over shared experiences of displacement and hardship, fault lines rooted in ethnicity and language can ignite tensions, as seen during the gang war.

Moachh Goth’s population growth and shifts in demographics underscore the role of migration as both a response to immediate survival needs and a long-term adaptation strategy. Climate-displaced individuals and conflict-affected migrants alike have contributed to making Moachh Goth a microcosm of larger social and political dynamics. For the Baloch, Sindhi, Kachhi, and other residents, the settlement represents a complex blend of solidarity and competition over limited resources and space. This has created a landscape where some groups see themselves as the rightful stewards of the land, while others strive to establish their place within an already crowded and resource-strapped environment.

The community's socio-political context is further complicated by its status as a *Kachi Abadi*, with residents facing the constant threat of eviction and a lack of formal recognition. Despite its population size, which rivals that of entire constituencies, Moachh Goth’s residents often find themselves on the margins of political representation. This disenfranchisement exacerbates the challenges of access to basic utilities and services, such as clean water, electricity, healthcare, and education. It also underscores the broader implications of how climate and conflict intersect to shape human settlement patterns, governance, and social cohesion.

Moachh Goth stands as a testament to the resilience of its residents, who navigate the nexus of climate displacement and conflict with a determination to rebuild their lives. The presence of Murshid Hospital as a healthcare provider and the community’s role as a host during the 2022 floods demonstrate how the area has become both a refuge and a beacon of collective endurance. The settlement's history of adapting to external pressures—whether from natural disasters or human conflict—reveals a community continually in transition, where peace remains fragile and interwoven with the potential for renewed conflict. The lessons from Moachh Goth highlight the urgent need for inclusive, multi-dimensional approaches in policy and planning to address the needs of communities grappling with the compounded challenges of climate vulnerability and social conflict.