Training Search & Rescue Volunteers in Gilgit Baltistan

By Sami Ullah Malik

Gilgit Baltistan is one of the most disaster-prone areas in Pakistan. The mountainous communities of Gilgit-Baltistan are at high risk because of their geography and lack of access to quality services. Global warming and climatic changes have a direct impact on these areas causing glaciers to melt and unstable lakes to form, increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Considered to be the front-line areas in Global climatic change and with increased frequency in natural disasters, a need has been felt to increase awareness of the local populace on disaster mitigation. Disasters like, Earthquakes, which often trigger devastating landslides, are frequent. Seasonal floods and mudslides are also common, particularly in the spring when snow starts to melt. Extreme winter conditions and avalanches are also a recurrent feature, especially in mountainous areas. As part of its ongoing efforts to respond to the needs of communities living in areas prone to such hazards, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), Pakistan invests in community training for men and women to increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills to prepare for and respond to, natural disasters.

12 members (8 male and 4 female) SART (Search and Rescue Teams) volunteers from Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH), Pakistan belonging to various regions including Gilgit, Chitral and Karachi attended a seven-day disaster response training course with support of Pakistan Army in Rattu, District Astore, Gilgit Baltistan. The course, facilitated by instructors of Army High Altitude School (AHAS), provided an opportunity for participants to learn critical lifesaving skills, light search, rope rescue, river crossing use of Z pulley and rescue techniques as well as first aid and equipment handling skills. Training local community volunteers in disaster response skills falls under AKAH’s broader community-based disaster risk management program. The most important part of the training was the inclusion of female participants as during disaster the worst sufferers are females and young children. Another aspect is that female rescuers can best support families in safe evacuation and emergency situations.

Army High Altitude School, Rattu, is the premier institution of Pakistan Army for High Altitude Training. The school maintains a great reputation for training mountaineers of great acclaim both from national and international fame. Army High Altitude School was established at Rattu (Northern Area of Pakistan) in December 1987. Rattu is one of the century-plus old cantonments of Kashmir. It is located at an altitude of 9000 feet above sea level. This school trains students in skiing, High Altitude, and Mountain operations. Training is imparted in the shape of lectures, demonstrations, and practical. To ensure realistic training, tactical exercises are conducted at altitudes of 12000 feet to 16000 feet at the base of famous Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi peaks. The school also undertakes several trekking and mountaineering expeditions on famous peaks. The training team consists of highly trained staff in various domains related to mountain craft.

A collaboration was undertaken by Pakistan Army and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) to train volunteer rescuers in mountainous areas belonging from far areas of Gilgit Baltistan. The training was organized with the concept of training youth in terms of disaster management to support their local communities in disaster mitigation. Pakistan Army stands hand in hand with the govt and non-govt organizations (NGOs) in times of natural disaster and management. To equip the organizations with the best preparation, the Army had been in the forefront to share and train the teams to make them self- independent and self-reliable. The constructive role was played in remote areas of the country through the construction of roads, quick impact projects, education facilities, water supply schemes, medical facilities through CMHs and medical camps. The Pakistan Army has always helped the local communities in times of disasters and contributed to their development. These volunteers belonging to the northern areas represented different communities. This training will help the team members to respond and support their communities during disasters and climatic challenges. Such activities reflect Pakistan Army’s commitment towards national development.

The writer is a Ph.D Scholar in Middle Eastern History from Islamic International University Islamabad. The writer has done MS in Political Science.