Rehman said K-P has already established a working group on natural calamities and disasters. PHOTO: FILE/AFP
Expressing solidarity with victims of the October 8 earthquake, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) observed the National Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) on Tuesday and asked the government to chalk out a comprehensive plan to reduce the impact of natural calamities.
The theme for DRR Day 2013 was ‘Living with disaster and disability’. An event in this regard was organised at Nishtar Hall by PDMA Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in collaboration with Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF), Help-Age and IDEAS.
Addressing the gathering, Adviser to Chief Minister on Transport and Relief Yaseen Khalil said a considerable portion of Pakistan – primarily K-P – has been struck by earthquakes and floods in the recent past. He said besides natural disasters – political unrest, extremism and militant operations had added to the miseries of the people.
Khalil said these disasters injured, maimed and took the lives of thousands of people. He stressed formulation of polices for DRR was crucial to counter these calamities. The adviser to CM maintained the K-P government would initiate planning at union council level to counter the effects of natural disasters. Khalil added a well-connected information system would be required for timely prediction of floods.
“PDMA K-P has practically incorporated all DRR principles in reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in Malakand division, which can be replicated as a model,” said Atif Rehman, director general of PDMA K-P. Rehman added PDMA also prepares an annual monsoon contingency plan in consultation with all stakeholders, with a view to assess available and required resources. The subsequent placement of resources is then decided, while roles and responsibilities of each department are also defined, he added.
Rehman said K-P has already established a working group on natural calamities and disasters which would work in collaboration with PDMA to counter any emergency in the province.
The United Nations will observe October 13 as International Day for DRR. The objectives of the day are to spread knowledge about the importance of DRR and create awareness in communities in order to reduce risks.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ