Pakistan: Flood risk - Provincial Disaster Management Authority to assess vulnerability of communities

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has outlined a plan together information to assess the vulnerability of flood affected communities in the Punjab area, said Director-General Mujahid Sherdil, as reported by Business Recorder. A Geographic Information System had been used to mark each settlement’s coordinates and an “Android-based data entry application has been developed to help conduct socio-economic and vulnerability assessment”, he added. District Disaster Risk Management Co-coordinators will be given smart phones to aid the data entry process and to record geo-tagged pictures of important infrastructures in vulnerable villages, which could be utilized as shelters or dispensaries in case of emergencies. The number of inhabitants, including disabled and elderly people will be collected as well. He emphasized that “local people were usually aware of vulnerable spots and they could be a good source of information about risky areas”.