New NDMA-WFP tool to support interventions in food security, natural disasters

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ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has launched a new tool to support interventions related to food security and natural disasters in the country.

Launched in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), the ‘Integrated Context Analysis (ICA) on Vulnerability to Food Insecurity and Natural Hazards of Pakistan’, used existing data to identify combined level of recurrence of vulnerability to food insecurity in connection with flood and drought readings, and categorised districts into five levels of vulnerability.

The ICA also ranked the recurrence level of other natural hazards and contextual factors which could aggravate the impact of floods and drought on food security in the country.

The analysis was intended to inform different departments of the government and other relevant agencies regarding issues of social safety nets, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems and disaster preparedness.

Speaking at launch, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Omar Mahmood Hayat said that, “ICA is meaningful from multiple standpoints, particularly for those associated with food security and natural disasters.” The NDMA was making efforts to foster resilience in identified areas in cooperation with all stakeholders and implementation partners, he added.

He further said that, “ICA is a living process. It can be repeated with fresh data and more relevant inputs in the future. I am sure NDMA and WFP, as long-term partners in humanitarian efforts, will continue to cooperate towards ICA in the near future.”

Speaking on the occasion, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Pakistan Finbarr Curran said that, “Data is important but it needs to tell a story in a way that is visually exciting and easy to understand. That is what the ICA tool does. We believe it will help local authorities plan for and respond to natural hazards for the good of the people of Pakistan.” Curran also congratulated the NDMA for its vision, leadership and engagement in connection with disaster management efforts.

It merits mention here that the ICA was conducted between January and October this year, under the leadership of the NDMA and with the involvement of relevant ministries, including Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, line departments, technical institutions, WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.