Pakistan Taking Lead In Respectful Handling Of Bodies: Speakers

ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Augst,2016) : The participants of a five-day course organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRD) here on Monday said that Pakistan was taking lead in the respectful handling of bodies in emergencies.

The course titled "Handling dead bodies with respect and dignity in emergencies," is being attended by emergency responders from Afghanistan, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Viet Nam, who will share their expertise in tragedies. The event was jointly inaugurated by the Member Operations National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Brig.

Ishtiaq Ahmed and head of ICRC delegation in Pakistan Reto Stocker. Brig. Ishtiaq Ahmed highlighted the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to improve response of the department dealing emergencies. "After a disaster, large or small, all victims should be recovered and identified for a number of reasons, ranging from the needs of the family to paying compensation or sorting out legal formalities," he added. Head of ICRC delegation in Pakistan Reto Stocker acknowledged that Pakistan had improved its capacity to handle the dead in recent emergencies.

"We face frequent disasters in Pakistan and in the region.

We need to prepare for disasters, and that includes how to handle the bodies of victims with respect," said Reto Stocker. He also reiterated that the ICRC's support for establishing a centre of excellence for the corpse management in Pakistan and the organization's willingness to provide technical expertise to help government institutions and private organizations improve even further. Since 2010, the ICRC has organized 12 courses in Pakistan and trained more than 340 emergency responders and forensic specialists. Each course covers the core principles of the body management, focussing on new techniques and technologies of identifying and handling the victims with respect and dignity, besides minimizing the trauma of bereaved families.

The course also familiarizes the challenges that commonly hamper communications and coordination in the aftermath of complex emergencies.