In Asia’s Largest Slum, Development, Danger

For the Wall Street Journal:

According to the United Nations Development Program, more than 60% of Karachi’s residents live in illegal housing areas, many in unplanned slums like Orangi. These settlements are off the grid and often the scene of deadly shootings between rival gangs.

Orangi’s residents are now turning to confront who owns the land they live on and OPP has expanded its work to help residents get rights to land and clean water.

But by widening the focus, the NGO says it has drawn the ire of existing power structures in the city and its workers have become the target of the criminal gangs and syndicates that plague Karachi.

Read more here.