Title: Emergency preparedness and management from national to local levels in Pakistan

Authors: Syed Ainuddin; Jayant K. Routray

Addresses: Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand. ' Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Abstract: This paper has made an attempt to analyse the emergency management and preparedness practices of Pakistan with focus on Baluchistan both at the community and organisational levels using key informant interviews, focused group discussions and discussions with organisations involved in disaster management process. It is revealed that disaster-related issues are handled at the provincial level focusing on reactive measures. The disaster management authorities have not extended the disaster management practices to the local levels. It was found that at district and union council levels, programmes and projects on disaster preparedness and emergency management planning are non-existent. It is strongly felt to have a mechanism under the National Disaster Management Authority to organise effective disaster response at all levels, starting from province to district and union councils. Improvements in the existing institutional framework for disaster management and also for technical and operational capacity with competency of the involved agencies are essentially required.

Keywords: decentralisation; preparedness; disasters; Pakistan; Baluchistan; community levels; organisational levels; local communities; national government; disaster-related issues; provincial levels; provinces; reactive measures; districts; union councils; National Disaster Management Authority; institutional frameworks; technical capacities; operational capacities; competencies; involved agencies; emergency management planning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2012.046008

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2012 Vol.8 No.2, pp.123 - 134

Received: 06 Apr 2011
Accepted: 02 Aug 2011
Published online: 27 Mar 2012 *

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