REGIONAL GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOODS (GLOFs), RISK REDUCTION IN THE HIMALAYAS INITIATIVE, Update for October, 2008

By: Amber Masud

The Regional GLOF Risk Reduction Project, funded by DIPECHO and UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), aims to address the risks posed by GLOFs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region comprising India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan through strengthening non-structural and community-based approaches. The activities update Pakistan component for the month of September 2008 is given below:

 Meetings were held with members of the Core Working Group for sharing the Preparatory Assessment Report study report and their inputs were taken for finalizing the same before being presented in the National Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting.
 The National Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop was held in Islamabad on 25th October, 2008 to share the findings of the baseline assessment study conducted in Ghulkin and Passu with various national stakeholders and to obtain their inputs on the same. The consultation meeting was facilitated by Crises Prevention and Recovery Unit of the UNDP and National Disaster Management Authority. More than forty participants belonging to NDMA, Government departments/agencies, INGOs/NGOs, individual experts and representatives from academic institutions and UN agencies participated.
 The meeting provided an outline of the project activities and progress. Findings of the baseline assessment study were shared with the participants. NDMA representative apprised participants of the efforts being made to streamline the process of disaster risk management by enhancing technical capacities of district governments and communities in a holistic manner. During day-long deliberations, the administrative functionaries and experts from different spheres were of the view that the predominant approach of managing natural disasters with structural and engineering solutions needs to be shifted to focus greater attention on people-centered risk mitigation paradigm. The baseline study on GLOFs recommended that the capacity of the vulnerable communities need to be strengthened. Moreover, the district administrations of Northern Areas should be provided with financial resources and technical expertise in order to engage hazard-prone communities for the implementation of GLOF preparedness and mitigation measures on a sustainable basis.
 The administration of Northern Areas has incorporated GLOF/flash floods as a component in all DRM trainings in the area. District level trainings are being held and participants are being sensitized on GLOF hazard and related risks as well as probable risk mitigation and preparedness measures.
 Conducted visit to Northern Areas to plan activities for community mitigation and preparedness pilot with the implementing partner organization. A detailed plan for the same has been developed.
 Meetings are being held with various stakeholders for involving them with community activities. Click for Full monthly-update-oct08.