Assisting the Police to rebuild after the floods

Pak CP

On 16 March 2011, UNODC handed over motor cycles and vehicles over to the Police Forces of Pakistan at a ceremony at the Police Lines Parade Grounds in Islamabad to build up the police's capacity after the damage caused by the devastating floods in 2010. The Federal Minister of Narcotics Control, H.E. Mr. Haji Khuda Bakhsh Rajar, addressed the audience of representatives of the Government, the Police and diplomatic community. The equipment was bought with the financial support of the Government of Germany, and the Deputy Ambassador of Germany, Mr. Stephan Röken, also spoke at the ceremony.

UNODC has ensured the vehicles and motor cycles are going to 20 of the most vulnerable flood-affected districts, enhancing police capacity and connecting police officers with the citizens. Frontline law enforcement is vital to the communities they serve, providing important basic public services and ensuring law and order. In many areas, they are countering significant criminal or insurgent challenges. As a result of the floods, many police stations were damaged or destroyed and agencies suffered significant equipment losses, which has adversely impacted law enforcement capacity.

Background

Following the floods that hit Pakistan in July 2010, UNODC conducted an assessment of damage done to the infrastructure of the country' s law enforcement agencies.

In September and October 2010, UNODC staff conducted field visits  in flood-affected areas. The primary objectives of the assessment were to examine critical infrastructure and equipment needs for frontline law enforcement, and to produce estimates of damage to the police stations and posts. Satellite imagery was utilized to define and demarcate flood perimeters.

UNODC used the results of the assessment to develop a comprehensive programme of assistance to help the Government rebuild its policing capacity. The proposal for assistance includes a cost-effective procurement and distribution plan, and eventually a reconstruction and repair plan.

The Government of Canada responded quickly to fund the repair and reconstruction of strategically important police stations and posts in Malakand Agency and Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in Jaffarabad District in Balochistan, and in two districts in Sindh. UNODC and the Provincial Police Officers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh have agreed to start the  reconstruction stations and posts as soon as possible. The Government of Canada is the main contributor to the programme.