Reema Shaukat
Pakistan if faces security defies on its external facades then it equally tackles with some domestic challenges and natural catastrophes on its ground. 8 October is thus marked as “National Resilience Day”, not only to remember those souls who lost their lives in dreadful earthquake of 2005 in history of Pakistan. But this day also calls for preparations for any kind of natural disaster or calamity which knows no borders. After the problems and hinges faced by earthquake of 2005, it was felt that there should be some central management authority who not only maintains the database but prepare the countrymen for any kind of calamity in Pakistan. Thus National Disaster Management Authority NDMA, was established to cater not only with any kind of disaster but time to time provide necessary guidelines to people to avoid collateral damage on ground.
If Pakistan is blessed with diverse topography and climate, it equally makes it vulnerable to natural mishaps. Pakistan is placed among countries who are prone to climate related calamities in form of storms, floods, earthquakes, landslides, heat-waves, intermittent monsoons and drought. Moreover, the human-induced disasters like road mishaps, oil spills, fire breakouts, industrial accidents, and deliberate attacks apart from terrorism effected country like ours cannot be overlooked. Thus, NDMA is trying to reach out to all segments of society to generate appropriate awareness. Media as an important tool of information is a key stakeholder to raise awareness among masses. Media in Pakistan has evolved with passage of time and plays an influential role in public awareness and preparedness through educating common man about disaster preparedness and response.
Recently, an earthquake occurred again in the areas of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and some northern parts of the country which damaged infrastructure and loss of human lives. Though the destruction caused by this earthquake is far less than what happened in October, 2005 earthquake, but yet it calls for awareness and preparedness by organizations and general public. It is noted over the years after assessing the performance of such disaster management authorities that there exists few loopholes and media actually faces challenges in providing factual info to target audience. A need is always felt that there should be cohesive policy and structure of disaster management authority be revised, at both national and provincial level. Though NDMA in past few years has done great job in reaching out to populace but yet there is lot to be done in areas which are disaster prone particularly if they are located at fault lines for earthquakes, areas which receive heavy rains and thus flooding emerges or those vulnerable zones who are going to be effected because of water scarcity. Last year NDMA provided a media toolkit for awareness of journalists and media community not only about reporting methodology but about safety and precautions during calamities. Following such strategies it is important that such informative toolkits should be devised for all age groups including disabled persons, children or elderly people and should have outreach to all segments of society. Department of civil defence must be more active along with other organizations in providing emergency services to common man. Apart from training of journalists it is necessary that time to time refresher short courses, radio channels, training in schools or academic institutions, more use of technology and reaching people through SMS regularly for preparing them on how to respond during incidents and help in saving lives can also bring desired results. Though NDMA is devising School Safety Framework which surely will be helpful for students, young children and teachers on how to protect themselves. Emergency Evacuation Plan is yet another aspect which needs proper training and maintenance in terms of infrastructure in Pakistan and people must know how to response with sense.
Media plays crucial role in shaping minds and opinions of masses. For disaster management all kinds of media including print, electronic, social and digital media be taken on board timely. As during any kind of catastrophe, communication channels are the first to be erupted hence the group of trained volunteers be present everywhere to reach timely and ease out people in trouble. Media while remaining objective and progressive must address challenges in the wake of climate change or other human instigated incidents and bring positive improvement in entire spectrum including all vulnerable groups (children, women, aged and disabled). During any mishap, it becomes our social responsibility to facilitate people instead of portraying it as a spicy story while deviating from the norms of civilized society. We all are aware of lacunas in our system however as a responsible segment of society, media can come forward as one of liable actor to create awareness in the masses. Our activities and responsibilities should not be time or day bound but such important issues of public safety be addressed on daily basis through variety of innovations. We, the Pakistanis, as a resilient nation that has always stood firm against all impediments, must continue for the betterment of our realm and countrymen.
