Corona relief force

In his recent address to the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the formation of the Corona Relief Tiger Force that will help the government in its relief efforts. The force, comprising young people, is supposed to lead the fight against the coronavirus in Pakistan. Recruitment for the corona relief tigers began on March 31. It is expected to be a special volunteer force coordinated by the youth affairs minister. Now citizens are able to volunteer for the force through the PM Office portal by filling out digital forms. All those above the age of 18 and interested to become volunteers will have to provide their names, age, phone number and union council on the form to register for the force. The process of registration is expected to be completed by April 10.

Though the announcement appears to be well-meaning, there are certain points that must be raised right at the outset of this effort. First is the centralization of the entire procedure through the PM Office portal. We know that in Pakistan we have functioning governments at subnational levels. We also have administrative units from provinces to divisions and districts. All these local governments and administrative units not only have social welfare departments but also a coordination mechanism with other civil society organisations within their catchment areas. These organisations include registered non-government, non-profit and voluntary entities that work in a transparent manner in local communities and also submit their annual accounts and audit reports to the concerned authorities. Then there are bigger national and international organizations funded and managed by philanthropists and professionals across the country such as Edhi Foundation, Chhipa Welfare, Pakistan Red Crescent, Aman Foundation, and various rural support programmes.

That means we already have at least three resources that are already experienced and trained in such type of work: the government machinery at the local levels; international organizations already working in various regions in Pakistan; and local support organisations which already have a large pool of volunteers. The new proposed force by the PM will require online registration, scrutiny, selection, and finally recruitment. This entire procedure is cumbersome and long drawn, while we need immediate functioning mechanisms that are already in place. The new youth force will also need proper training in communications skills, community mobilization, and logistical management. Whereas the already functioning government structures right down to the village and neighbourhood level already have a potential to coordinate with the upper levels of government as well as with local civil society organizations. What we need at the moment is a more circumspect approach rather than fanciful ideas about youth mobilization which may create more problems than solutions for the government.