1. Pakistan is a Disaster Prone country. Its very diverse Terrain & Climatic conditions make it susceptible to various forms of disasters. The Northern Area & parts of Balochistan are Seismic Prone, where as floods are a common phenomenon in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. The Disaster Profile of Pakistan would indicate that almost every year the country has to cope with one or other form of disaster.

2. Our emphasis in Strategic Plan 2005-2008 is therefore on Disaster Management, with a special focus on Disaster Management due to Man Induced Reasons. Towards this end our Disaster Management policy revolves around the following key areas:

a. Prioritization
b. Disaster Preparedness/ Response
c. Coordination
d. Integration

3. Prioritization: We need to deliberately prioritize various areas from Disaster Management perspective at each Administrative Tier in the Provinces. In other words, we need to carefully prioritize our most Disaster Prone Districts, Union Councils and where possible Villages. There-after we should deploy resources for Disaster Management according to local needs.

4. Disaster Preparedness/ Response: This involves Capacity Building in the following areas:

a. Disaster Management Cells: It is essential to establish a Disaster Management Cell in each of the prioritized district, which should manage all aspects of Disaster Management under its jurisdiction. This capacity needs to be gradually developed within the framework of Strategic Development Plan (2005-2008).

b. Emergency Response Ambulance Service: Emergency Response Ambulance Service is required to be gradually established in all the major cities to readily and effectively respond to the acts of Urban Terrorism. Initially this service has been established in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This service will be extended to Provincial Capitals and other major cities of the country.

c. Human Resources: There is a need to have dedicated Human Resources for Disaster Management depending on the local needs at each prioritized/ identified administrative tier. It is desirable to have dedicated individuals with communications at the level of most Disaster Prone Union Councils. Like wise there is a need to progressively enlarge the existing Volunteer Base from grass root level upwards.

d. Infrastructure: This includes construction of Warehouses and other Mitigation Activities according to local needs.

e. Equipment: This includes provision of Ambulances and Communication equipment for efficient flow of information.

f. Relief Goods: This includes provision of sufficient relief items in the warehouses according to local needs and their efficient management.

g. Trainings: Training will include First Aid, Community Based Disaster Preparedness Workshops and Tracing Workshops etc. The trained Volunteers should be incorporated in carefully conceived follow up activities to ensure their availability during emergencies.

h. Financial Support: It is desirable to have an Emergency Fund for purchase of perishable goods (Foods and Medicines) etc according to local needs at each tier.

i. Community Awareness Programme: It will include orientation meetings with communities, printing of leaflets/posters and translation of books in Urdu for easy comprehension of communities.

j. Disaster Management Plans of Districts: At each District level a comprehensive Disaster Management (DM) Plan should be prepared in close coordination with all Government and other agencies involved in the Disaster Management (DM). This plan should cater for all possible Disaster

5. Coordination: Coordination with Government Agencies, NGOs, INGO’s and other relief agencies is critical to efficient Disaster Management. The PRCS setup at each level must be fully conversant with the Disaster Management Plan of all other agencies in the area to avoid duplication/redundancy

6. Integration: Integration of other core areas of PRCS such as Health, Humanitarian Values, Organization Development with Disaster Management, where possible for optimum effects. Such as, where applicable the areas of the Ambulance Services, Blood and First Aid etc will be integrated between Disaster Management and Health. Volunteer Training should incorporate trainings in all the Core Areas of Disaster Management, Health and Humanitarian Values etc, as a package.