Pakistan: Improving local disaster governance - Opinion

In this opinion for the Daily Times, Dr Ejaz Hussain and Dr Abdur Rehman Cheema argue that, while relocating is not an option for big earthquake-threatened cities, we can certainly learn how to live with risk and thus reduce losses. "In the case of Pakistan, we need to think about disasters holistically. As a part of structural measures, the country needs to design and update seismic building codes and then ensure strict compliance on new and old buildings," they write.

"Keeping in view the deaths of 20,000 children in the 2005 earthquake, particular attention should be given to ensure seismic safety of critical community infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and mosques," they continue. "Public awareness campaigns should be launched in partnership with civil society to prepare people mentally and physically."