PESHAWAR, June 22: The NWFP chapter of the Red Crescent Society is launching an ambulance service in the provincial capital, which will later be extended to other districts of the province.

The society has also decided to reinforce its presence at the districts level, chairman of the society Dr Sher Mohammad Khan told reporters at a news conference here on Friday. He was accompanied by other members of the society.

He said the ambulance service would be launched in a couple of weeks. Initially, he said, three ambulances would be stationed in Peshawar, adding that the number would be increased to 10 after which the service would be extended to other parts of the province.

At least one ambulance would be provided to each district of the province, he said. The society was also planning to train volunteers and build infrastructure in all districts, adding that ordinary people would also be trained so that they could look after victims in times of emergencies.

“The Red Crescent Society has already reinforced its presence in Swat, enabling it to reach flood-affected people quickly to provide them with tents, warm clothes and foodstuff besides accelerating the pace of rehabilitation activity,” Mr Khan said.

In the second phase, the society’s presence in the earthquake-hit districts, including Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan and Shangla, would be strengthened.

Highlighting the province’s vulnerability to calamities, he said that there was a need to formulate an effective disaster management system in the province. Media could play a vital role in this regard, he added.