The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) on Tuesday signed a joint work plan to promote child-centered disaster risk reduction approach in Pakistan. Chairman NDMA Major General Asghar Nawaz and acting representative of UniceF, Cris Munduate signed the document.
Nawaz said that over the past few years, Pakistan has faced a number of challenges especially the recurrent disasters from natural hazards and human-induced crises. These disasters have devastating consequences on children and women as women and children are the most vulnerable in the face of emergencies and have limited capacity in coping with disasters, he said.
NDMA through the development of the 'National Policy Guidelines on Vulnerable Groups in Disasters' and the 'National Gender and Child Cell (GCC) Framework' has taken up concrete steps to ensure that the voices of women and children are included in decision-making process and policy formulation at all levels of disaster management.
In line with the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) Framework on Child-Centered Disaster Risk Reduction (CCDRR) which was endorsed by the member states in September of this year, NDMA-Unicef partnership aims to enhance NDMA's capacity and delivery of services to minimise risks for children and ensure their well-being and protection in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The work plan focuses on the following areas: (i) Promotion of child-centered disaster risk reduction through child-inclusive risk assessment. (ii) implementation of a Comprehensive School Safety programme. (iii) encouraging children's participation through advocacy and communication and (iv) knowledge management
NDMA-Unicef partnership is envisioned for a period of one year in its initial phase with a visualised extension in subsequent years. During the initial phase, Unicef will support the development of the terms of reference for technical expertise required to assist NDMA in implementing joint activities; drafting and provision of technical inputsfor training designs; content development and development of guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to promote and support CCDRR especially in the 39 high risk districts in Pakistan.