Islamabad, Pakistan, 9 June 2018 - The Department of Emergency Management of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), formerly FOCUS Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) organised a six-day training session in Islamabad on Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM). The training was attended by 38 participants including government officials and community leaders from Chitral and Shangla Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the training, experts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), AKAH and UNWFP shared key insights on the concepts of CBDRM. Additionally, they gave awareness on participatory hazard and risk assessment, formation of CERTs, creation of Village Based Disaster Risk Management Plans (VDRMPs), Incident Command System (ICS), Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), first-aid, basic search and rescue and fire safety. The sessions were facilitated by the Director General of PMD, Assistant Commissioner of Shangla District and staff of UNWFP and included a visit to the PMD office.

The training is part of a project undertaken by AKAH and UNWFP in 6 districts across Pakistan to improve institutional capacities of communities and government entities in effectively responding to disasters. Participants are expected to serve as resource for upgrading the CBDRM initiates at local levels.

Acknowledging the impact of the training programs, Mr. Nawab Ali Khan, CEO of AKAH, said that “AKDN believes in collaborations and partnerships to improve quality of life of people across the globe. The partnership with UNWFP has not only reduced the disaster vulnerable communities in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but has also helped in ensuring resilient schools through effective mitigation and school safety kits. Overall the project has contributed in enhancing the community’s disaster preparedness which will enhance the safety of communities against disaster risks in the long run.”

Participating in the concluding event and simulation with Tariq Khush Muhammad, Assistant Commissioner of Shangla District, Sultan Mehmood from UNWFP appreciated the participation from the government and urged them to take the agenda of CBDRM forward while assuring UNWFP’s continued engagement.

Tariq Khush Muhammad appreciated the efforts of AKAH and UNWFP and expressed his desire for such programmes to continue in the future. He assured his support at the District Level to benefit the disaster vulnerable areas through such interventions.