Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies aims to engage, inform, and catalyse scholarly discourse within research and real-world practices that work towards the minimisation of vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout developing communities with special emphasis on Africa.

Land Use Land Cover (LULC) dynamics and the associated drivers are vehemently debated issues among scientific community due to its significant impact on global scale. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the major trends and drivers influencing LULC change in District Abbottabad, Pakistan. Mixed method approach comprising of remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS) and household survey were employed to collect data from 130 households. Descriptive data was analyzed through index-based ranking. Further logistic regression was employed to examine the impact of perceived drivers of LULC change. Ranking of major perceived and proximate drivers identified were unplanned urbanization, natural conditions, agricultural decline and increase infrastructure. While population growth, lack of financial resources, poor marketing and weak governance were identified as underlying drivers of LULC change. Similarly, findings of GIS data revealed massive increase in built-up (3.12%) areas and urbanization at the expense of agricultural and bare land (-15.7%) between 1987-2019.

Fragility in governance and armed conflict are directly linked and are the causes and consequence of each other. This study aimed to understand pre and during conflict scenarios of fragile governance in Swat. This research used qualitative research design and conducted in depth interviews from multiple stakeholders ranging from government officials to men and women in the community. The results showed that weak legislation and legal plurality led to the fragility in governance that later on transformed into armed conflict. The findings reveal that the fragile administrative governance was the root cause in the initiation of armed insurgency in Swat.

Across the globe, radicalization is understood as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that is on the rise. The emergence of various extreme ideologies and groups underscores the pressing need to recognize the underlying factors fueling radicalization. In Pakistan radicalization is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by a range of interconnected factors, including historical context, geopolitical dynamics, and the involvement of foreign actors. This study aims to comprehensively explore the underlying drivers of radicalization by examining various push and pull factors through the lens of social identity theory and grievances theory. Through qualitative research approach, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts of countering violent extremism, media and academia from across Pakistan. The analysis reveals six key factors shaping radicalization: Economic Deprivation and Poverty, Horizontal Inequalities, Political Instability and Marginalization, Weak Institutions and Inefficient Justice Systems, Religious Identity and State Policy, and Foreign Influence and Geopolitical Dynamics. These factors have highly increased the terrorism and anti-state interventions around the country particularly in post 9/11 scenario. The interconnectedness of these factors emphasizes the imperative for a comprehensive approach in addressing radicalization. The policymakers and practitioners need to devise deradicalization strategies that recognize the intricate nature of radicalization within Pakistan and its broader socio-political landscape.

Post-conflict peacebuilding is not a direct path to achieving prosperity; however, it has become a highly significant issue in the merged districts of Pakistan, particularly in South Waziristan, following years of militancy, terrorism, and military operations by Pakistani forces. In this context, the role of development aid projects has gained broader acknowledgment in post-development peacebuilding, where organisations and implementing partners have filled the gap through development assistance projects. The objective of the study is to explore the effectiveness and weaknesses of development aid projects toward peace and prosperity in the merged districts of South Waziristan. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving interviews with 50 respondents, including 12 government and NGO officials. The findings reveal that development projects engaged local communities in the peace process by delivering essential social and economic services to the affected population, contributing to sustainable peace and development. However, limited professional capacity among both government and non-governmental officials hindered the effectiveness of peacebuilding initiatives. The influence of local elders also notably shaped project objectives. Institutional fragmentation and gaps in peacebuilding efforts remain critical challenges that require reassessment to foster lasting peace in the region. JEL Classification Codes: I01, M02, L03, R04, R41, R42, R43, R44, R45, C5