ISLAMABAD: Pakistan faces some of the highest disaster risk levels in the world, ranked 11 out of 193 countries by the 2023 World Risk Report.
The country also has high exposure to flooding, including flash, and urban coastal, as well as exposure to tropical cyclones and droughts. The disaster risk in Pakistan is further exacerbated by its social vulnerability (37 out of 191) which is driven by its high rates of multidimensional poverty.Â
In an attempt to address these challenges,
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have formalized their commitment for enhancing resilience in Pakistan through a letter of understanding (LOU) signed on April 16, 2024 at IRC Pakistan office. This initiative marks a significant collaboration between NDMA Pakistan leading disaster management authority and IRC a global humanitarian organization.
The scope of this collaboration encompasses joint efforts in strengthening Community-Based Disaster Risk Management/Reduction models, creating toolkit of best practices and the outlook for anticipatory actions. This includes consultations on innovative programs and stakeholder engagement for strengthening resilience in communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other local institutions.
The partnership involves extending technical assistance for the development of a Multi-Sectoral Resilience Building initiatives, through capacity-building sessions for stakeholders and technical support for the robust functioning of the National Emergency Command and Operation Center (NEOC).
In the realm of policy advocacy, NDMA and IRC will collaborate on providing technical support to academic working groups focusing on Disaster Management, Preparedness, and Resilience building upon evidence-based research analyzing existing policy frameworks and alignment with ongoing multi-sectoral climate adaptive efforts. Both entities will also jointly host engagements for dissemination of findings and learning with relevant stakeholders nationally and provincially.
In his remarks, the chairman NDMA said NDMA’s NEOC shared a comprehensive outlook on potential hazards and emergencies expected in next 6 months. This crucial information serves as a foundation for these organizations to strategize and outline their response plans effectively, ensuring readiness and swift action in the face of adversity. He called for incorporation of anticipatory actions for resilient interventions in humanitarian organization’s annual plans.
In a joint statement, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik (chairman NDMA) and Shabnam Baloch, Country Director (IRC-Pakistan), conveyed their resolute to the newly formed partnership. They stressed upon the critical significance of collaborative initiatives, tackling the multifaceted challenges presented by climate change and natural disasters specifically within the context of Pakistan. Lt Gen Inam and Ms. Baloch expressed their resolve to advancing the resilience agenda through tri-party partnerships involving relevant state institutions, civil society, and community voices into decision-making processes.
Through this partnership, NDMA and IRC are committed to share learning resources, technical expertise, and efforts to address the impacts of climate change and disasters. Their collaborative endeavors aim to foster a more resilient society in Pakistan, ensuring better preparedness and response mechanisms for future challenges.
