Schools’ Flood Emergency Preparedness in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

• DOI: 10.1007/s13753-018-0175-8
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07T08:58:07Z
• Authors: Ashfaq Ahmad Shah; Jingzhong Ye; Lu Pan; Raza Ullah; Syed Irshad Ali Shah; Shah Fahad; Shaista Naz
• Keywords: Preparedness; Natural hazard; Resilience

Pakistan is highly exposed to climate-induced disasters, especially floods. Flooding history shows that educational establishments have been disproportionately hard-hit by flooding events. In Pakistan, school safety and preparedness still a choice, rather than mandatory requirement for all schools. But schools in do responsibility keep safe the students their care, during after catastrophic This implies need maintain environment around property, so as minimize impacts of floods mechanisms place maximize school’s resilience. study examined emergency activities 20 four districts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province had recently severely affected Through face interviews structured questionnaire (n = 100) we collected data on pillars preparedness: planning, preparation measures, facilities, hazard education training. The revealed majority sample experienced more one natural hazard-induced disaster, predominantly flooding, yet despite this not undertaken adequate activities. There are particular gaps with regard plans disabilities, continuity operations presence maps identify evacuation routes, availability equipment resources, disaster guidelines, psychological first aid crisis counseling. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats analysis our researchers carried out indicates that, although survey taken many steps towards flood preparedness, weaknesses exist there remain significant opportunities strengthen level goal inform policy decisions improve suggest priority areas future management efforts.