Monsoon prep: Red Crescent prepares contingency plan for 43,000 families
The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has prepared a contingency plan for over 43,000 families all over the country, said a press release issued by the PRCS on Tuesday.
The plan also covers the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) based on weather reports from different climatic centres.
The press release said the contingency plan was prepared at a two-day meeting that was attended by representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) from Kuala Lumpur, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) partner national societies, and PRCS provincial secretaries.
Addressing the participants, PRCS Secretary General Dr Mahboob Sardar said that the PRCS is using a proactive approach to plan for any situation to actively respond to any monsoon disaster in the best possible way.
In view of the predictions, he said the PRCS has geared up its coordination and planning efforts with partner and sister national societies and discussions are being held to frame a mechanism for effective response and secure proper funding in case of a massive disaster.
He said that the PRCS remains committed to its motto, “First to reach and last to leave,” and will use all available resources to support flood victims.
He urged provincial PRCS secretaries to fully coordinate with local agencies for a better and more effective response.
PRCS Operations Director Ateeb Siddiqui said the contingency plan was based on the suggestions and recommendations of PRCS provincial secretaries who have forwarded their plans after complete coordination and discussions with provincial disaster management authorities.
He said that in case of a medium impact, the PRCS will support 43,000 families all over Pakistan with food and clean drinking water, non-food items and health services.
In addition to monsoon planning, the PRCS, in collaboration with the IFRC, will support 75,000 families in the flood affected areas of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the PRCS is also constructing 207 houses in Goth Machi for flood victims.
He said the organisation has developed PRCS Strategy 2015 for the next five years to extent the geographical reach of the society and enhance capacities in disaster management, healthcare, volunteerism, organizational development and financial self-reliance.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2012.
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