A plan for the prime minister

1. There is no need for a separate commission. The NDMA and the Federal Flood Commission can do the job.

From July 30 till August 21, for detailed flood monitoring one visited Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, D G Khan, Rajanpur, Mithankot, Guddu Barrage, Kashmore, Sukkur, Larkana, Moenjodaro, Ghotki, Head Punjnad, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Skardu, Ghanche, Quetta, Dera Murad Jamali, Dera Allah Yar, Karachi, Jamshoro, Bhitshah, Nausheroferoze, Khairpur, Sukkur and Kotri. At all locations clothes, blankets, rations, tents and medicines were distributed.

Based on the above, I have the following recommendations for the government, especially the prime minister.

1. There is no need for a separate commission. Existing organisations such as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Federal Flood Commission can do the job. They should be strengthened and held accountable to parliament. 2. A daily report should be delivered to the NDMA, to the provincial chief ministers and made available on the internet as well. It should give the data of damage per day on a tehsil-wise basis, relief goods delivered per day, instances of diseases reported every day, health assistance given every day and number of crimes occurring in affected areas. 3. All members of parliament should report their relief efforts through a publicly accessible web portal. Their funds should be generated by themselves and not be taken from the funds given to them by the government. For distribution of government relief, the goods should be handed over to local government and armed forces officials who should give a daily account.

4. We need better coordination with international organisations so that damage assessment can generate rehabilitation funds and can cover agriculture losses for the year. Also, an agriculture output plan and a rehabilitation plan should be drawn up. 5. Relief operations should be handled by those who are accountable to parliament's special committee for relief efforts which should monitor the work daily. 6. A national donor conference should be organised with each province giving detailed damage assessments. 7. A uniform standard should be ensured for each relief camp. Opposition party MPs should be deployed in each province to provide ‘gap analysis’ of what is lacking in each camp. MPs should monitor the corrective action plans needed to bring each relief camp up to standard.

8. The police should play their role. Lots of criminals are on the run from the kacho areas. They should be arrested. 9. A judicial commission should investigate the alleged breaching of dykes on political basis and those found guilty should be given exemplary punishment. 10. ADP (annual development programme) funds should be cut to divert the resources to rebuilding infrastructure and providing rehabilitation. Parliament should be given a plan for a revised budget within a month.

If the prime minister finds that his authority is being challenged and he is unable to execute the above then he should seek a fresh vote of confidence from parliament.

We can't afford to sink more. Good luck, Mr Prime Minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2010.