ISLAMABAD: The first Scout Leaders’ Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Badge has brought together Scout leaders as part of an initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience among young people across Pakistan.
The training was jointly organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), UNICEF and the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. As part of the programme, participating Scout leaders visited the NDMA headquarters in Islamabad to learn about national disaster management systems and emergency preparedness.
The initiative aims to establish a nationwide pool of trained Scout leaders capable of equipping young Scouts with essential knowledge and practical skills related to disaster risk reduction, preparedness and emergency response.
Through the newly introduced DRM Badge, disaster preparedness will be formally incorporated into Scouting education, enabling young people to develop practical skills that can help them respond effectively during emergencies.
During their visit to NDMA, the participants received briefings on the authority’s mandate, multi-hazard early warning systems and the role of the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) in monitoring hazards in real time and coordinating disaster response.
The Scout leaders were also introduced to NDMA’s community-based disaster risk management initiatives and briefed on the role young people can play in strengthening preparedness and resilience at the grassroots level.
The programme seeks to transform young Scouts into better-prepared community members who can contribute to disaster risk reduction and support their communities during emergencies.
The participating Scout leaders appreciated NDMA’s efforts to promote a culture of preparedness and highlighted the importance of integrating disaster awareness and practical emergency skills into youth development programmes.
The initiative reflects growing efforts to engage young people as active partners in disaster risk reduction and build more resilient communities across Pakistan.