Funded by European Union and supported by UNDP Pakistan

Background
Floods of 2010 are among the worst disasters that have hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent history. The Province still recovering from the consequences of militancy and resulting IDP’s crisis suffered tremendous losses. All the districts across KP were seriously affected. PDMA with the generous support of humanitarian agencies has coordinated humanitarian response to one of the biggest disaster ever faced.

Though valuable experience acquired and lessons learnt by managing IDP crises resulted in positioning of an effectual system of humanitarian relief coordination at provincial level, during and after floods. Nonetheless, a need was felt to review the existing structures, facilities and coordination mechanisms for further improving upon the emergency response phase of any such future catastrophe. As a result PDMA is in process of building the capacities of its staff for effective management of disasters; however, an aspect which glaringly stands out is absence of Provincial Emergency Operational Centre – PEOC within PDMA.

PDMA has been engaged in coordinating and organizing emergency response in case of the disastrous events. The coordination and joint employment of all the response agencies will be carried out through PEOC located within PDMA connected with 10 more vulnerable districts. The coordination for effective implementation of various emergency response actions in the shape of a dedicated outlet i.e. PEOC will facilitates the provincial and national government, UN agencies, donors, non-government organizations and others involved for extending timely and required support in disaster response.

The unprecedented floods of 2010 has inflicted huge losses to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, however, the inhabitants of ten districts got a severe blow to their lives through the merciless waves of river Panjkora, Swat, Kabul and Indus. These ten districts viz. Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swat, Shangla, Dir Lower, Dir Upper, Chitral, Tank & D.I. Khan are still prone to a series of natural hazards like floods, land sliding, avalanches etc. Being declared the most vulnerable and heavily affected districts of the province the need was felt to focus on the enhancement of preparedness level for any future eventuality. That’s why these districts have been selected for the extension of PEOC services on priority.