Abstract
In the traditional social structure, it has often been observed that the social networks have very
much significance in the disaster vulnerabilities reduction in many ways. In this regard the present
study was conducted in worst affected areas of tehsil Balakot by the earthquake of 2005. The core
objective of the study was to examine the role of traditional social networks in the disaster
vulnerabilities reduction. Through purposive sampling method, the sampled respondents were
selected for the study. Then after providing an overview of the basic concepts of the terms and
attributes, the sampled respondents were interviewed and the data was recorded accordingly.
The collected data had mainly focused on the family, micro and macro based social networks. After
interpreting the data the survey found that family based networks are stronger than the micro and
macro networks. Immediately after the disaster, help came from the survivor’s social networks,
which reflected the social coherence and strength of the disaster community, and eventually
reduced the vulnerabilities posed by the disaster. Social cohesion and resilience to the disaster
vulnerabilities on the part of the affected community is also deeply linked with the social networks
under the present study. The study finally recommended that the prevalent social networks and
normative cultural coping mechanism are the social capitals, which needs proper attention in
terms of conservation and institutionalization.
