Pakistan: Changing the field of disaster management
By Shazia Haris
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The reality is that disasters will happen due to uncontrolled population increases, a sharp upward trend towards urbanization, increasing climate changes, and poverty in the South Asia Region. However, Pakistan needs to realistically evaluate its macro and micro policies so that the economy is resilient enough to withstand the climate shocks. An all inclusive and central approach needs to be promoted, covering issues from livelihoods and health to survival from famines and festering diseases, like recently reported cases of dengue, which could affect us globally if these cases turn into a pandemic. While economically viable solutions need to be in our pocket, vital infrastructure such as hospitals, roads and communication networks, not to mention community infrastructure such as dams, need to be a priority. All this can only be achieved if disaster management is brought to the forefront from its present backstage placement and seen as a security imperative for Pakistan.
We not only need to strengthen institutions but a full fledged campaign is mandatory for building national resilience, where we ensure that our development work does not fan natural hazards. Information and sharing expertise are the key to national resilience, which will help governments and civil society prepare for and respond to disasters. Thus, training and equipping relevant institutions with latest technologies, using media as a vital partner for awareness-raising among masses, and adopting a centralized disaster management approach are the need of the time.
Until the masses are willing to change, we will keep on losing lives and taking blows to the economy, and though it seems difficult to bring about behaviour changes, it is not impossible. Seismically safe houses and reconstructed education and health facilities in earthquake-affected areas speak of successful mass behaviour changes.
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