Workshop held to improve disaster response

Challenges discussed to improve policies, assessment tools

PESHAWAR: In order to improve disaster risk management policies in K-P, a capacity-building workshop was held at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) office Tuesday. It was organised in close collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and Asia Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) to bolster a community resilience initiative.

“The organisations work together to support the government in developing more synergised, cohesive, and inclusive disaster risk management (DRM) policies,” a press release quoted PDMA K-P Director General Amer Afaq as saying.

Experts from the government, academia and humanitarian sector attended the event. They discussed the challenges in improving DRM policies, and various assessment tools such as remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) and their use.

Accuracy is key

Afaq, while addressing participants, said PDMA needs accurate and updated information regarding K-P’s vulnerability to both natural and man-made disasters. “A dollar spent today to prepare for managing a calamity can save us $10 tomorrow when we respond to it,” he said. Afaq added district administrations have been requested to cooperate with the aforementioned organisations as it would strengthen the region’s response to disasters.

He said it was a must for all community members to participate in the implementation of the project, and including engaging people at the grass-roots level in the development process.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2016.