Pakistan: NDMA and UNICEF continue cooperation for child-centred disaster risk reduction

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed an agreement to extend their partnership for Child Centred Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) in order to enhance the government’s existing capacity and delivery of services to minimise risks for women and children during disasters. 

NDMA and UNICEF first signed a joint work plan in November 2015 to pursue a child-centred approach in disaster situations to ensure their well-being and protection through preparedness, mitigation and preventive measures in disaster situations. The same year Pakistan volunteered to take the lead in introducing the concept of Child Centred Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) under the Sendai Framework and laid the foundation for the Pakistan School Safety Framework.

Several national level policy documents have been developed and implemented under the signed work plan, with the aim of knowledge management, research and development, institutional strengthening, capacity building, advocacy and awareness raising. The major achievement is the formulation of the draft of the Pakistan School Safety Framework through a national consultative process. This framework is now being piloted across the country by January 2017 with the collaboration of both the partners.

The partnership achieved concrete results and new areas were identified in the course of pursuing the work plan. The new work plan will focus on the following areas:

• School Safety and educational continuity in all types of hazards and emergencies ensuring the safety and security of school going children as one of the priority areas.
• Knowledge management, Capacity building and Institutional strengthening for Child Inclusive Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).
• Capacity Building and Engagement of relevant stakeholders including the media in terms of disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention. 

The main focus of the current joint work plan will remain on School Safety, and roll out of the Pakistan School Safety Framework. The objectives of the School Safety Framework are:

• To promote a safe working environment for students, teachers and parents against natural and human induced disasters.
• To ensure the preparedness of the school community against hazards and unforeseen circumstances which may lead to disasters.
• To enable schools to develop a comprehensive response mechanism in event of a disaster.
• Awareness creation about possible hazards and developing cooperation with the community.
• Analysis of the specific vulnerability and hazards of the school environment and mapping of evacuation routes and identified safe places.
• Practical exercises and evacuation mock drills to enable the school community to be prepared and to act adequately to save lives in case of an emergency.

Chairman NDMA Major General Asghar Nawaz while expressing his views said. “I appreciate the partnership for its achievements during the last year, and am very optimistic for the planned future activities. The great positive impact that this partnership has made has been due to the hard work and cooperation of both the partners and I hope for the same level of commitment in the coming year”.

The UNICEF country representative Ms. Angela Kearney said, “We look forward to supporting the NDMA towards the successful execution of these very important interventions in the most effective manner and hope to continue strengthening our partnership for the realisation and fulfilment of the rights of children”.