Real Risk

disasters and, most importantly, to impart skills and knowledge

required to enable sustainable responses to disaster by local commu-

nities. Whether a disaster is major or minor, it is these people who

suffer most. Coping and survival strategies enable them to respond

to the situation long before outside help arrives from the govern-

ment or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Communities

wish to protect themselves through community-based disaster

preparedness and mitigation.

The following is a list of key elements of CBDRM, derived from

FOCUS’ experience in the NA/C:

•

Community participation

– Community members are the main

actors and propellers; while sustaining the CBDRM process,

they directly share the benefits of disaster preparedness, miti-

gation and development.

•

Priority for vulnerable groups

– Subsistence farmers, children,

women, elderly and indigenous people are the most vulnerable

in rural areas.

•

Hazard vulnerability capacity risk assessment

– Risk reduction

measures are community-specific and are identified after an

analysis of the community’s disaster risk.

•

Recognition of existing coping mechanisms and capacities

–

CBDRM builds upon and strengthens existing coping strate-

gies and capacities, such as cooperation, community/people’s

organizations, volunteerism and local knowledge and resources.

•

Capacity building

– FOCUS has trained over 25,000 commu-

nity volunteers to use local resources to respond to and manage

different types of disaster.

•

Provision of stockpiles

– FOCUS has also provided stockpiles

at community and regional levels to support community

response efforts.

•

Acceptance and recognition

– The ownership of the CBDRM

remains with the community and is therefore easily accepted

and recognized within it.

AKDN-AJK earthquake response

The Kashmir earthquake in 2005 was the worst to have affected

South Asia over the past 100 years. With a magnitude of 7.6 on the

Richter scale, its epicentre was about 95 km northwest of Islamabad

in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). This

major quake was followed by many aftershocks of severe intensity

for many days.

The earthquake covered approximately 30,000 square kilome-

tres, causing massive destruction in nine districts of Pakistan, in the

Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and AJK. Apart from the dead,

severely disabled or injured, the earthquake left over 2.8 million

people without shelter, assets and livelihood.

Immediately after the earthquake, AKDN was able to mobilize its

resources, initially for relief, and then for the reconstruction phase.

FOCUS’ experience with search and rescue and its relationship with

RAPID-UK was used to mobilize the first international search and

rescue effort. Its trained team and logistical support were extensively

used for distributing relief goods and tents. AKPBSP installed water

supply and sanitation facilities in camps and villages and constructed

temporary shelters before the winter onslaught. Other agencies,

such as AKHSP, AKFP, and the Aga Khan University Hospital

(AKUH) also provided extensive services. The AKPBSP and FOCUS

relief-phase experiences were shared with the local communities,

NGOs and the Government, where AKPBSP house construction

techniques have been incorporated in official infrastructure recon-

struction guidelines.

AKDN is now undertaking a multi-input programme in an entire

valley of the Kashmir, covering over 25,000 people. Inputs include

water and sanitation, housing, education, health, livelihood, other

critical infrastructure and disaster preparedness, to be supplemented

by the construction of two schools in NWFP.

The AKDN organizations’ experiences reveal several key lessons:

• Disaster preparedness is a long process, as infrastructure and

facilities are built over a long period, and needs to be part of the

development attitude incorporated in all approaches and

programmes

• While constructing safer public buildings is important, most

damage is done by houses falling down and this sector cannot

be ignored

• Underdeveloped and poor communities require programmes

and technologies specifically developed for their circumstances

and with their continuous input, in order to make them sustain-

able, affordable and socially acceptable

• Technological solutions need to be supplemented by prepared-

ness activities such as training for relief work

• AKDN experiences in Pakistan affirm the effectiveness of involv-

ing communities in disaster preparedness and mitigation. While

communities have built on local coping strategies and capaci-

ties to reduce some vulnerability, many necessary structural

mitigation measures involve large capital outlay

• Vulnerability is a complex web of conditions, factors and

processes, which can only be reduced through complementary

and concerted action among multiple stakeholders from various

disciplines.

AKDN has been working on various aspects of disaster risk reduc-

tion in northern Pakistan for decades with a multi-faceted

approach that is unique in Pakistan and has been of considerable

assistance to the Government and other agencies, especially in

responding to the Kashmir earthquake. AKDN has promoted its

experiences and techniques at various forums in Pakistan and

has campaigned extensively for a national earthquake prepared-

ness programme. However, much still needs to be done, especially

in the housing sector. This clearly underlines the huge task

involved in making communities resilient to earthquake risks,

and the urgency of starting such work wherever there is risk.

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Water supply installed by AKPBSP in Kashmir

Photo: AKPBSP