Q3 2012 Progress Report: Common Operating Picture to Strengthen the Disaster Management System in Pakistan

The primary objective of the project is to strengthen the Information Management capacity of Provincial and Regional Disaster Management Authorities in Pakistan. This is to be achieved through an integrated approach via the DMA framework, providing crucial Humanitarian Information Management support to all related humanitarian responders. Significant political pressure has been exerted by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the Provincial and Regional DMAs to stop using iMMAP resources. The real source of this pressure is unknown, but the main reasons cited by iMMAP include a change in leadership at NDMA, lack of full control over staff and equipment resources, and iMMAP being perceived as a security threat to Pakistan. NDMA has exerted pressure by sending frequent letters to the DMAs and Chief Secretaries in the Provinces/Regions. The overall status of the Information Management Units in each location, as of June 30, 2012, is as follows: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) - iMMAP staff was asked to wind up their activities in April 2012 due to pressure from NDMA. However, there is still a good relationship with the State DMA in AJK, and there is a willingness to continue work once there is a change in the political climate from NDMA. Balochistan - closed in June 2012. The relationship with the PDMA in Balochistan is still positive, although PDMA is heavily reliant on support from NDMA. Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) - iMMAP still enjoys a very good relationship with FDMA. However, due to the change of management at FDMA and continuous pressure from NDMA, FDMA has indicated that they would like to take over the management of the Single Reporting Format (SRF) and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) tools developed by iMMAP. Gilgit Baltistan (GB) - closed in March 2012. There is still a good relationship with the GBDMA, and they have indicated a willingness to re-establish support once there is a change in perspective from the NDMA. Islamabad - the Islamabad office continues development and support of tools, as well as coordinating and conducting DRR training events throughout Pakistan, compilation of district profiles, and publishing of Daily Emergency Reports for the wider humanitarian community in Pakistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) - closed in April 2012. The relationship with the KP DMA is also still positive, although the PDMA are following NDMA guidelines and asked iMMAP to wind up its activities. Punjab - the Punjab IM unit is still functional at the Punjab PDMA with a formally signed MOU for the second time. The PDMA is extremely happy with the support and tools that have been developed. However, constant pressure from NDMA will most likely result in the closure of the IM unit in Punjab as well. Sindh - closed in April 2012. Sindh DMA resulted in an abrupt closure of the IM unit after the letter from NDMA. This is the only location where there was a negative feeling on closure, and iMMAP consultants had their laptops seized and were told not to come back. Since the closure of the IM units, iMMAP has identified new products and opportunities that would be of benefit to the wider humanitarian community, including United Nations (UN) agencies, International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Consultants in the provinces and regions are engaged in conducting DRR capacity building sessions, and collecting data and information for compilation of district profiles. Major developments that occurred during this reporting period include the closure of IM units due to NDMA political pressure, even though DMAs want, and requested, the IM support. The DRR Portal was launched, which is Pakistan's first dedicated web portal for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) resource sharing and coordination. The portal provides a central place for all DRR-related activities, events, DRR approaches, and best practices to assist in identifying, assessing, and reducing the risks of any disaster.