National Conference: Vectors and Scalars – Mirpur Earthquake
Background
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake with continued aftershocks of magnitude 4.8 jolted large swathes of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on September 24, 2019. Taking a rapid stock of immediate aftermath of the devastating disaster, national and regional disaster management authorities activated an integrated and inclusive response to assist affected community. After a month period National Humanitarian Network, Pakistan is facilitating a discussion to reflect on the Efficacy of Mirpur Earthquake Response and understand the management and response at a smaller scale in the purview and risk of any mega crisis (God forbid).
Objectives
The conference was organized to reflect on efficacy of emergency response system of Mirpur earthquake, highlight good practices and identify gaps and challenges for future learning.
Recommendations
National Level Recommendations for Policy Advocacy
- Formulation of b National Disaster Response Forceb across country
- Conduct local level risk assessment to develop risk knowledge of the country
- Roadmap development and implementation for land use planning
- Inclusion of area specific hazard provisions in building codesIntroduction of penalties for violators of building codes
- Political sensitization for resource allocation for emergency response
- Strategy formulation for linking philanthropy resources with emergency preparedness and response
- Policy advocacy for substantial investment in DRR
- Introduce and implement risk transfer mechanism by strengthening existing governance structure
- Collectively mainstream DRR into development planning
Local Level Recommendations for Implementation
- Advocacy on enforcement of building codes through district government
- Identification of standardized contextualized relief good packages
- Inclusion of DRR measures in existing practices
- Introduce certifications for construction workers and masons on building resilient structures
- Advocacy on high-risk feasibilities installed in buildings
- Adoption of 4Ws tool by government and humanitarian partners to mutually identify gaps and avoid duplication
- Alignment of humanitarian structures and establishment of
