Disaster readiness: PRCS vigilantly prepared for monsoon

Volunteers trained to deal with challenges including floods

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has intensified nationwide planning to confront any disasters in the monsoon season.

PRCS has recently trained hundreds of volunteers to deal with challenges and has also sensitised flood-sensitive communities, said a press release.

PRCS Secretary General Dr Rizwan Naseer, speaking at a meeting on Multi-Hazards Contingency Planning, said that on the directions of PRCS Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi, the group is taking a proactive approach to actively respond to monsoon-related disasters in the best possible manner.

He said the Red Crescent currently has the capacity to cater to 36,000 families, particularly in disaster-prone areas.

He said the PRC is always committed to its motto “First to Reach and Last to Leave,” and being the leading humanitarian organization of the country, would use all its human and material resources to support the victims.

Dr Naseer said that PRCS had initially geared up its coordination and planning efforts with its partners, and discussions were being held to frame a mechanism for effective response and to secure proper funding in case of a massive disaster.

The secretary general said that 72 district branches, 26 Disaster Management Cells, medical units and thousands of volunteers along with 945 trained disaster relief training members have started monsoon preparations in their respective areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2016.