PESHAWAR
The director disaster risk management at Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Muhammad Amin has said that pregnant and lactating mothers, vulnerable children, senior citizen and persons with disabilities were identified as priority group in all relief and rescue operations carried out by the authority in the recent flash floods across the province, adding their special needs were given priority through timely distribution of necessary food items and special hygiene kits.
He expressed these views while speaking to a consultation program organized by Aawaz II titled “Floods 2022: Social Inclusion in Rehabilitation and Climate Resilience”.
Head of delivery Aawaz II, British Council Arshad Mehmood, speaking at the occasion said ‘Aawaz II programme has always given primacy to the inclusion of the vulnerable, often in disaster situations the vulnerable groups face multiple challenges in accessing timely relief or rehabilitation services due to barriers such as social exclusion, limited mobility or absence of identity cards.
This consultation aims at facilitating the vulnerable groups in getting their voices heard.
The event brought together more than sixty women, PWDs, transgender persons and non-Muslim religious minorities from 2022 flood hit districts.
Dr Arjumand Nizami country programme director and international advisor for environment and climate change Helvetas Swiss emphasized on the need for effective disaster preparedness, gender segregated data of the affected and the requirement to understand exclusive needs of the vulnerable groups in post floods relief activities.
Ms Rashida Dohad, executive director, Omar Asghar Khan Foundation and strategic lead, Aawaz II KP said “It is imperative that the needs and interests of the vulnerable are prioritized in shaping plans to support rehabilitation and increase resilience to future climate impact”.
The participants of the consultation shared the challenges and damages experienced in each of the flood hit areas and prioritized their rehabilitation and resilience needs and interests.
Aawaz II Programme works with local communities in K P and Punjab to promote the rights of children, women, youth, and other vulnerable groups, to work towards a more inclusive, tolerant and peaceful society in the country. Aawaz II is a programme managed by the British Council.
