Partner: ActionAid
Year: May 2008
Introduction:
The geographical location of Pakistan makes it prone to periodical natural disasters, such as droughts, earthquakes and floods. Due to a lack of expertise in averting natural calamities and an insufficient response to the affected population n such disaster hit areas, SDPI undertook a study to advocate a charter of demands for pro poor disaster management policies and :heir implementation. The devastating earthquake of October 2005 jolted the authorities to focus In Disaster Management as a policy initiative. Government of Pakistan took significant steps. As a result, the Earthquake Reconstruction and rehabilitation Authority and the National Disaster Management authority were established. A comprehensive policy to prevent natural disasters and to provide for he affected people was evolved. However, how effectively this policy was implemented, and whether it was in harmony with the international obligations was to be ascertained. SDPI set upon a fact finding mission, conducting Focus Group Discussions and interviews with district government officials, the NGO representatives in the affected areas, and the local population. Studies were conducted in earthquake-affected districts of Battagram and Mansehra in North West Frontier Province and Muzzafarabad, and Bagh in Azad Jammu Kashmir. Research work was also carried out in the drought and flood affected Noshki district of Balochistan. Research was also carried out in the flood affected areas of Badin and Shahdadpur districts of Sindh. After extensive groundwork, the key recommendations that emerged are that it is imperative for the local governments and the municipal administrations to be trained in Earthquake Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DRR). It is also important to include DRR in the
town planning and in the development planning policies. All such activities and policy formation should have active participation of the local population. Investment in community infrastructure is vital. The study concluded that although Pakistan stands by its international obligations, due to several identified reasons, there are missing links between its policy and its implementation.
Objective:
The overall objective of the research was to ascertain people and local authorities’ views on National Disaster Management Authority’s initiatives on disaster mitigation, preparedness and risk reduction in the light of ‘Hyago’ protocol.