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Pakistan

Pakistan 2015 Humanitarian Preparedness Plan (23 July 2015)

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STRATEGIC SUMMARY

Pakistan faces complex and multi-dimensional humanitarian challenges, including ongoing displacement as a result of insecurity, and recurrent natural disasters. Some of the main risks are those related to the monsoon season from July to September, and earthquakes. The Government of Pakistan has put in place a number of policies to ensure effective response capacity at all levels and is expected to be capable of handling medium size disasters without requiring international support. This plan intends to ensure adequate preparedness for a timely, appropriate, principled and sensitized response, if the humanitarian community is requested to respond.

Response objectives

This plan aims to mitigate the impact of disasters and save as many lives as possible from preventable causes. The Humanitarian Preparedness Plan will be activated after a request is received from the Government. The plan recognizes the Government’s primary responsibility to respond to crises affecting its population; the humanitarian community will work to support the Government in responding to the humanitarian needs of the population as determined by coordinated assessments.

In line with Inter-Agency Steering Committee (HCT) guidelines, the HCT has identified the cluster approach as the chosen response strategy in order to ensure a coordinated emergency response. Cluster lead agencies have been identified. These lead agencies will coordinate the preparedness and emergency response activities of humanitarian partners in support of the relevant government ministries. The HCT also receives guidance from the Gender Advisor and the Gender Humanitarian Task Forces in each province, which work closely with the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authority Gender and Child Cells. The preparedness plan can be applied to any emergency response in Pakistan taking into account the HCT guidelines on level 3 emergencies.

The HCT plans to coordinate activities as close to the operational base as possible with coordination structures devolved to district levels. District authorities and line ministry representatives will be included where possible. At provincial levels, the teams will work closely with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA/FDMA) and other key stakeholders. At the national level, HCT will liaise closely with federal level stakeholders especially the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure timely and effective information sharing to enable effective decision making at HCT level. If requested, HCT plans to respond by launching a Rapid Response Plan within 3 to 4 weeks. HCT members have little reserve funding for an initial rapid response.

As part of the preparedness activities, the sectors/clusters conducted an extensive mapping of available stock and resources, which will complement those stocks provided by the Government of Pakistan. Close collaboration and information sharing with partners, Government and donors is critical at each stage of the response. The HCT stands ready to respond to any Government request for support. Delays in requesting international assistance will increase the population’s vulnerability with associated challenges. HCT is also aware that in past crises, a shortage of female staff and gender distinct analysis has led to increased gap; through the current preparedness plan, the HCT aims to avoid this happening in the future. The HCT response is contingent on the facilitation of access by the Government of Pakistan, to ensure clearance of humanitarian relief supplies, Non-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and visas. Insecurity will also challenge the response to any crisis.

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