Natural insecurity: Pakistan unprepared, underfinanced to fight disasters, say speakers

Trends for natural disasters in the region, risk reduction policy discussed at int’l conference.

ISLAMABAD:

Fleshed out in 2012 with the aim to enhance the country’s capacity to prepare for natural disasters, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (DRR) has yet to see light of day.

Formulated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) some two years ago, the policy has not yet been implemented due to financial constraints, shared DRR member Ahmed Kamal while speaking at the 10th International Safety and Security Exhibition and Conference organised by Pegassus, a consultancy company.

As part of the conference, two sessions were held on Wednesday. The first one related to “Disaster management and mitigation,” was presided over by NDMA Chairman Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saeed Aleem. The second session emphasised on “Fire and industrial safety” and was conducted by Emergency Service Pakistan Director General (DG) Dr Rizwan Nadeer. The speakers highlighted different issues regarding the DRR policy, disaster management and mitigation, preparing for disasters, disaster trends in the future.

Giving a detailed presentation about the policy, Kamal said its basic objective is to prepare for disastrous situation. He said that the policy is comprehensive and formulated to cope with emergencies that may arise in the country.  He added that the policy was formulated in 2012 for the next 10 years, but unfortunately, it is yet to be implemented due to non-availability of funds. A proposal for the project was approved in 2009.

Earlier, Aleem highlighted the significance of NDMA, claiming that the authority had handled disastrous situations in the country, especially the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake and subsequently in 2007, 2008 and 2010. He said that the authority is committed to make policies so that precautionary measures can be taken. NDMA has also established a National Institute of Disaster Management with the basic objective to train students, which would soon start offering proper diploma and degrees courses in the future, he added.

Also present at the occasion, Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) Chief Meteorologist Dr Ghulam Rasul highlighted the natural causes of disasters in Pakistan, predicting future trends that such incidents are likely to escalate due to global warming.

“In the future, Pakistan is more likely to witness an increased number of natural disasters such as floods and cyclone,” said Rasul.  He added that the 2010 flood was the biggest disaster in the country’s history, affecting roughly 13.8 million people. The whole of South Asia is vulnerable, and Pakistan is number two after Bangladesh, said Rasul.

Nadeer highlighted the performance of rescue 1122 in times of natural disasters.

The event featured exhibitors from 200 companies hailing from 28 different countries, displaying the latest solutions for national security, workplace safety, fire fighting, mobility, rescue and emergency.

Whereas the last day of conference was Wednesday, the exhibition will continue until Thursday. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2014.