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One-day consultative workshop of FOCUS held
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: The participants in a consultative workshop with
the civil society organizations on ‘formulation of district
disaster management plan’ held by FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance,
Pakistan here on Friday, laid stress on prioritization of disaster
risk management at all level from national through provincial to
municipal levels. They also called for ‘disaster conscious’approach
taking concrete actions so that in future the anticipated loss of
life, livelihood and property is considerably low and promote
risk-free development. They said that due to its peculiar
geographic conditions and topography, it is more vulnerable to
natural disasters and the hazards of land slide and erosion, snow
and avalanches, outburst of glaciers and flash floods pose
potential threats to the area. Over the years, the frequency of the
natural disasters has increased causing a colossal loss in the area
to the life and property of the people and rendered hundreds of
people homeless, they said. Those who presented their papers
included Chitral DCO Mutasim Billah Shah, regional programme
manager of FOCUS Amir Mohammad, programme officer Wali Mohammad and
Dr. Mir Afzal Tajik. The representatives of civil society
organizations, grouped into five and presented their views on
different aspects of the management plan like vision and mission of
the plan, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and
prioritization of main hazards induced by man. They recommended
concerted and integrated efforts of all the government agencies,
NGOs and civil society organizations where every one should have
his defined role to play at the time of disaster. The vision set
for the DDMP was to achieve sustainable social, economic and
environmental development in the district through reducing risks
and vulnerabilities by effectively responding to all types of
disaster events. The mission enunciated for the plan was to manage
complete spectrum of all types of disasters through a paradigm sift
by adopting a disaster risk reduction perspective from local
government level upward. The participants recommended to ensure
that the areas in the district vulnerable to disasters are
identified and measure for the prevention of disasters and
mitigation. The also laid down guidelines for prevention,
mitigation, preparedness and response. Early warning and
dissemination of proper information to the public was also called
for which mechanism was to be set up and maintained. The
preparation and revision of updated district level response plan
and guidelines and establishment of stockpiles of relief and rescue
materials to make them available at a short notice in time of
disasters was also recommended.
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District offices of ex-servicemen association inaugurated
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: Chitral DCO Mutasim Billah Shah has said that the
ex-servicemen form the most vibrant and useful segment of the
society due to their vast and rich experience in the armed forces
and they have proved their worth in times of natural disasters and
crises. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of inauguration of
the district office of ex-servicemen Association here on Friday, he
said that the people of Chitral district are known for their
distinctive services in the armed forces and in the civil society
as well they are active members of the society. He said that under
the umbrella of the organization, their efforts will be
coordinated. Speaking on the occasion, commandant of Chitral Scouts
colonel Sohail said that the problems of the ex-servicemen are
being solved which included payment of 25 increase in their pension
amount in arrears from the year 2005. District president of the
association Lt Col (retd) Sardar Mohammad also spoke on the
occasion and highlighted the activities and achievements of the
association.
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