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26th December 2011
NDU delegation visits NDMA
Islamabad:
A delegation of the National Defence University visited National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir & Member Operations, Brig. Sajid Naeem briefed the delegation about the organization and the overall DRR/DRM spectrum in the country.
The Member Operations NDMA, Brig. Sajid Naeem gave a detailed briefing to the 26 member delegation about the institutional description, mandate, functions, role, of NDMA and the disaster management spectrum in the country. He also highlighted the efforts of NDMA in the promotion of bilateral/regional initiatives.
Briefing the delegation, the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir emphasized the need for sensitizing masses about adopting a more disaster aware approach in order to avert losses in case of a disaster. He informed that southern Punjab and left bank of river Indus is predicted to be more susceptible to floods during the next two decades.
The members of the delegation thanked NDMA hierarchy for facilitating a highly informative visit of the organization.
20th December 2011
Chairman NDMA visit to NDMA Warehouse at CMT & SD Golra
Rawalpindi:
In the light of disaster preparedness, the NDMA adhoc/temporary warehouses at CMT & SD Golra were repaired and maintained with the assistance of WFP. As a sequel to this, under the instructions of Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir an exercise for a fresh survey and shifting /relocation of relief goods was conducted by the Operation Wing, Logistics Cell NDMA. The purpose was to determine the precise and accurate visibility of relief stores lying at various NDMA warehouses in the country.
Consistent to above, Chairman NDMA, Member (Ops), Brig Sajid Naeem, other representatives including Col (R) Anjum Shikoh Qazi & Lt. Col (R) Fazal Abbas visited the said warehouses. Logistics Head Lt Col (R) Muhammad Ali Haider Kazi TI (M) briefed about the repair maintenance work and harbored stocks.
The NDMA officials were received by Commandant CMT & SD Golra, Brig Asif Nizami. During the visit Chairman NDMA & Commandant CMT & SD Golra discussed various aspects related to relief goods storing facilities at CMT & SD Golra. Chairman NDMA thanked & appreciated the assistance rendered by the CMT & SD Golra to facilitate NDMA in storing their relief goods stocks.
18th December 2011
Consultative workshop on (Prevention, Protection & Provision Framework for Action on Disaster Management) held in Hyderabad
Indus Hotel, Hyderabad:
Consultative workshop on (Prevention, Protection & Provision Framework for Action on Disaster Management), Disaster Management Response Plan 2010 was conducted by Gender and Child Cell (GCC) in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh at Indus hotel, Hyderabad on Sunday, December 18, 2011.
Main objects of workshop are;
• Prevention, Protection & Provision Framework for Action on Disaster Management
• Disaster Management Chapter to be included in educational curricula
• Child Protection Policy and SOPs for the Separated & Unaccompanied children
• To update National Disaster Management Response Plan 2010
The workshop was the third in a row of which two were held in Karachi while the last one was held in Hyderabad on Sunday. It brought together high-ranking government personnel and local NGOs from development sector working at the grass root level to discuss strategies Actions addressing protection concerns also to chalk out plans for mitigation of future disasters and to discuss how best to continue relief and rehabilitation activities.
Sunday's workshop focused on the development of the framework for action on 'Prevention, Protection & Provision during disaster situations, Gender related issues, Child Protection Policy and National Disaster Management Response Plan 2010' to ensure that the vulnerable groups, including women, senior citizens, the disabled and children, are provided the support and protection in case of future disasters.
The Director General (DG) PDMA inaugurated proceedings, followed by Ms Nyghat Siddique, Advisor, Gender & Child Cell, NDMA, who gave a detailed and evocative presentation on the hardships faced by vulnerable groups, and also outlined the activities carried out by NDMA and its partner UN agencies to ensure their protection and participation in disaster risk mitigation. One of the suggestions was the inclusion of disaster management in the educational curriculum.
Ms Shahnaz of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) introduced the "SOPs for Gender Based Issues", followed by Aftab Ahmed of the Society for Sustainable Development (SSD) shared his findings from the field in a session titled "Guidelines (SOPs) for Separated, Unaccompanied and Missing Children During Disaster".
Save The Children's Muhammad Ali initiated the dialogue on "Child Protection Policy in Disaster", followed by NDMA's Col Raza Iqbal's presentation on "National Disaster Management Response Plan 2011".
Each session was followed by a Q&A, with the facilitator engaging the participants and stakeholders, and soliciting inputs, recommendations and suggestions. Session with the first draft of the 'Child Protection Policy' document already prepared, the workshop served as the ideal platform to gain insights from those engaged in child protection, including personnel from the Gender and Child Cell - NDMA, representatives of the Save the Children, SSD and others.
After lunch there was a group work on Prevention, Protection & Provision Framework for Action on Disaster Management and participants were divided into four groups. Topics related to Gender, People with old age, People with disabilities and Child Protection were given to each group and asked to give their recommendations.
The chief guest, Sindh Minister for Culture, Ms. Sasui Palijo said that this department for Disaster Management, being in its initial stages, would welcome suggestions from those engaged in development work, while Advisor GCC - Nyghat Siddique concluded the session by giving note of thanks.
17th December 2011
Consultative Workshop on Protection, Prevention & Provision Framework for Action on Disaster Management
Carlton Hotel DHA, Karachi:
A consultative workshop on "Child Protection Policy & SOPs for Separated & Unaccompanied Children During Emergency" was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) at a Carlton Hotel on Saturday.
The chief guest, Sindh Minister for Rehabilitation Muzzaffar Ali Shujra inaugurated the workshop and stated that his ministry, being in its nascent stage, would welcome suggestions from those engaged in early recovery and DRM in Sindh province.
The workshop focused on two main issues one on Separated and Unaccompanied Children during the disaster and second was discussion National Disaster Response Plan of NDMA. It brought together high-ranking government personnel and those from the development sector to chalk out plans for mitigation of future disasters and also discuss how best to continue relief and rehabilitation activities. Saturday's workshop focused on the development of the framework for 'Child Protection Policy' to ensure that the vulnerable groups, including women men, elderly the disabled and children, are provided the support and protection in case of future disasters.
DG PDMA Sindh started the proceedings, followed by Ms Nyghat Siddique, Advisor, Gender & Child Cell, NDMA, who gave a detailed and evocative presentation on the hardships faced by vulnerable groups, and also outlined the activities carried out by NDMA and its partner UN agencies to ensure their protection and participation in disaster risk mitigation. One of the suggestions was the inclusion of disaster management in the educational curricula.
Ms Shahnaz of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) introduced the "SOPs for Gender Based Issues", followed by Aftab Ahmed of the Society for Sustainable Development (SSD) shared his findings from the field in a session titled "Guidelines (SOPs) for Separated, Unaccompanied and Missing Children During Disaster".
Save The Children's Muhammad Ali initiated the dialogue on "Child Protection Policy in Disaster", followed by NDMA's Col Raza Iqbal's presentation on "National Disaster Management Response Plan 2011".
Each session was followed by a Q n A, with the facilitator engaging the participants and stakeholders, and soliciting inputs and suggestions for improvement. With the first draft of the 'Child Protection Policy' document already prepared, the workshop served as the ideal platform to gain insights from those engaged in child protection, including personnel from the Child Protection Cell of the NDMA, representatives of the UNICEF, NRSP, SSD and others.
Devanna De La Puente, the Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, said that comparing the situation from last year showed how much progress has been made as the NDMA now has a dedicated team for its Child Support Cell and policy documents has been endorsed and gender now takes priority in the NDMA's agenda.
At the end Chairman NDMA, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir concluded proceedings with another call for input for the finalization of the 'Child Protection Policy' document. He concluded the workshop with vote of thanks to all participants and highly appreciated the UNDP , WFP and UN WOMEN for joining hands with NDMA and PDMA for organizing the workshop.
16th December 2011
NDMA Delegation Call upon Governor Sindh
Karachi:
A delegation of NDMA led by the Chairman, Dr Zafar Qadir, called upon Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad, Governor Sindh. The Chairman NDMA briefed the Governor Sindh about a wide spectrum of situation of floods in Sindh and about various aspects of DRR and DRM in the country.
The Chairman NDMA briefed the Governor Sindh about the current situation in the flood hit areas. He also informed the Governor about the relief and rehabilitation activities of NDMA going on in the area. Dr. Zafar Qadir apprised Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad about the level of preparedness in case of a disaster. He also informed the Governor about the disaster safety net and disaster insurance plan.
The Chairman NDMA briefed Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad about the consultative workshop on “DRM Needs and Plan” jointly organized by the NDMA, PDMA and supported by UNDP and WFP. Highlighting the objectives of the workshop, the Chairman said that it was aimed at identifying provincial, as well as, regional needs for DRM planning and initiating contingency planning against critical hazards.
The Governor Sindh was briefed about NDMA Telemedicine Mobile Unit. Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad visited the mobile van and highly appreciated the revolutionary concept. He commended the efforts of NDMA for the alleviation of sufferings of the distort humanity.
16th December 2011
Consultative Workshop on "Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Needs & Plans" under One-UN DRM Joint Programme for Year 2012 and 2013-17
Carlton Hotel DHA, Karachi:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh in collaboration UNDP and WFP organized a consultative workshop on "Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Needs and Plans” for the year 2012 and 2013-17 at a local hotel on Friday.
The objectives of the Consultative Workshop were;
(a) identify provincial/regional level needs for DRM and planning;
(b) initiate contingency planning against critical hazards;
(c) incorporate gender into DRM;
(d) mobilize sectoral departments, DRM institutions and necessary resources for identified needs of DRM.
The Director General (DG) PDMA Sindh, Syed Sohail Akbar Shah inaugurated proceedings and set the agenda of discussing and finalizing the disaster management plan for 2012 as well as the five year plan for 2013-17. The DG's detailed presentation outlined the existing scenario in Sindh and the various activities of the PDMA Sindh that are in process, such as the Pakistan Card scheme, cash transfer systems, capacity building at the district level, etc. For the 2012 plan, Mr Shah highlighted the need for institutional and legal arrangements, particularly the strengthening of Talukas Disaster Management Authorities and District Disaster Management Authorities. The DG PDMA emphasized the need to adopt a bottoms-up approach, building up the capacity of the lower tiers and on the community level.
For the five year plan, the DG outlined several proposals and initiatives including an integrated monitoring and evaluation system of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), DRM education in schools, colleges and universities, technical training at the district and community level, development of a provincial recovery policy, among others. He called for the financial and technical support of UN agencies, international donors and the utilization of national resources for the strengthening of infrastructure and putting in place preventive measures to avert future disasters.
Brig (Retd) Kamran Sharif, the NDMA Lead for Contingency Planning, gave a presentation on Multi-Hazard Contingency Planning. It was followed by a discussion with workshop participants that included representatives of international and local NGOs, donor agencies, government personnel and development workers, and consensus was developed to chalk out the way forward.
Anwar Naeem, the Joint Programme Support Officer, UN, listed the activities for Sindh proposed by the UN agencies, followed by another round of debate and questions and answers to achieve consensus. The last presentation was by Nadeem Ahmed Abro, Deputy Director NDMA, who outlined the ten-year plan that would serve as the basis for mitigating future disasters.
Zafar Iqbal, Chairman, NDMA, concluded the workshop by summarizing the discussions and highlighted the important points raised, including the need for close coordination among the all relevant stakeholders Government departments , line agencies, UN & donor agencies , INGO/NGOs and civil society organizations . He focused on the how best we can integrate those efforts at the grass-root level to create safer communities by reducing disaster risk to human lives and properties.
The workshop was well attended by Government officials, representatives of UN agencies, INGO/NGO, civil society organizations and media people. The UNDP Country Head, Toshihiro Tanaka, WFP Head of Programme Carl Paulsson and other notables were also present at the workshop.
30th November 2011
NDMA arrange 3 Day Training Workshop
Islamabad:
To share best practices and lesson learned from other parts of the country, the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) - an auxiliary arm of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), together with the IRP arranged a three day Training Workshop to build the capacities of the National/Provincial Government Organizations and other stakeholders to learn from the best practices of other countries. The representatives of PDMA’s, Planning Commission, UNDP/UNHABITAT, various Universities and NDMA officials participated in the workshop; a certificate distribution ceremony was also held.
The objective of the workshop was to fill the gap in knowledge on good recovery through expanded delivery of the module on recovery, and contribute to capacity on resilient recovery by building a critical mass of professionals in the country oriented towards resilient recovery who can inform the recovery processes in the country as well as advocate “build back better”.
27th November 2011
NDMA takes National & International Media to the Flood Affected Areas
Islamabad:
To apprise national & international media about the current situation in the flood hit areas of Sindh, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged a visit of national, international media personnel, UN officials & other government functionaries to Sanghar district and Mirpur Khas district. The delegation included the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Timo Pakkala, Secretary Works & Services Arif A. Khan, DG PDMA, Sohail Akbar Shah, national & international media teams & NDMA/UN officials.
In the course of their visit to UC Barani in Sanghar district, the delegation met Shazia Marri, Sindh Provincial Minister for Information. She welcomed the delegation and appreciated the concern initiative of NDMA to bring media and other stakeholders to the flood hit areas. Responding to a question of the media, Shazia Marri said that people of the area require shelter as there is still water in the area. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir briefed the media about the details of relief provided to the flood affectees. The Chairman inquired from the affectees about the provision of food items. The affectees highly appreciated the support of the government of Pakistan and NDMA.
The delegation visited flood relief camp named Paran which is managed by Pak Army. The incharge of the camp Brig. Rashid conducted the trip. The Chairman NDMA distributed bags among the children of the school established in the camp. The delegation also paid a visit to the vocational training center and distributed sewing machines among the best female trainees.
At the last leg of the tour, the delegation visited Mirpur Khas and met affected populace.
25th November 2011
NDMA, Gender and Child Cell Organized Consultative Workshop
Islamabad:
A consultative Workshop was arranged by Gender and Child Cell of NDMA for NGOs and Government departments of AJ&K at Cabinet Hall Muzaffarabad. The Chairman NDMA, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Directors, Advisor GCC and other NDMA staff also attended this workshop. The main purpose of this consultative workshop was to build the capacity of NGOs and Government departments in Gender perspective & Policy on Protection, Prevention & Provision Framework on Disaster Management. Participants from more than 50 NGOs and line departments extended their effective inputs for integration in the said policy framework.
24th November 2011
NDMA, Gender and Child Cell Organized Consultative Session
Islamabad:
The Gender & Child Cell of NDMA, in consultation with UNICEF, NGOs & related government departments of AJ&K, organized a consultative session at Pearl Continental Hotel Muzaffarbad. The Chairman NDMA, Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Ministers of AJK Government, Parliamentarians, NDMA Directors, Advisor Gender & Child Cell attended the Session. The purpose of this session was to build the capacities of all the stakeholders to holistically address the gender concerns & facilitate networking of these stakeholders and establish & reinforce synergies among the various players in the development sector and the government. The session also oriented all the partners about the role of curricula in emergencies in addressing violence and the prevention and protection policy framework developed by National Disaster Management Authority that includes gender concerns in emergency.
24th November 2011
NDMA, Gender and Child Cell Organized Consultative Session for Boys Scouts & Girls Guide
Islamabad:
A session was organized by Gender & Child Cell of NDMA for boys scouts & Girls guide of Muzaffarabad AJK at Pearl Continental Muzaffarabad. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir & Advisor GCC were also presented on the occasion. The main objective of this session was the Revival of National Volunteer Movement.
24th November 2011
Chairman NDMA meets PM, AJK
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir called upon the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Chaudhary Abdul Majid. The meeting discussed disaster management mechanism in AJ&K.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister AJ&K, Chaudhary Abdul Majid said that the terrible earthquake of 2005 caused considerable damage to private & public infrastructure in AJ&K. He said that various projects are still underway in the context of the quake. Chadhary Abdul Majid lauded the support of the government of Pakistan in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of AJ&K and expressed hope that this help will continue till the achievement of this goal.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that NDMA has the mandate to devise pre-emptive policies for the management of disasters like earthquake & floods and formulate policies to mitigate loses in wake of calamities. He said that NDMA is ready to include Muzaffarabad in its disaster related projects. Dr. Zafar Qadir informed the Prime Minister AJK about NDMA’s initiative to arrange comprehensive insurance cover for the vulnerable sections of society and funds are being arranged for this project. He said that the federal government and all the provincial governments are pitching in efforts for this programme. The Chairman NDMA assured Prime Minister, AJ&K of the fullest support of his organization in the promotion of disaster awareness in the area.
23rd November 2011
NDMA Shares Revised Response Plan & UN-Pak Assessment Survey
Islamabad:
In order to share the details of UN Revised Response Plan & UN-Pak Assessment Survey, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged a Press Conference, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir conducted the event. A wide range of media representatives were also present on the occasion.
The Chairman NDMA,Dr. Zafar Qadir elaborated upon the details of UN-Pak Assessment Survey and informed the audience that on the basis of this document, a revised response plan will be launched to ensure comprehensive rehabilitation of flood hit areas. He said that 5.15 million (4.82 is in Sindh and 0.332 in Balochistan) population was affected by these floods, a total of 800,000 houses were affected including 470,000 damaged & 330,000 destroyed, approximately 9,781 schools are being reported damaged in Sindh (9,250) and Balochistan (571), 1,800 schools which were not damaged, were converted into shelters in Sindh, while the studies of more than 1 million school going children in Sindh and Balochistan were disrupted, 200 health facilities were damaged or destroyed in both Sindh and Bolchistan, of which 80 are totally non-functional & the most common health problems reported by community in these areas are Malaria and Diarrhoea. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that 2.28 million acres of crop land was lost and 116,557 cattle heads perished, over 76% (500,000) of families have remained in or returned to places of origin and urgently require shelter in order to start a normal life again while 16% (100,000 families) of the affected families are still living in Temporary Shelter due to a variety of reasons.
A detailed question/answer session ensued after the press conference. Answering a question regarding homeless families, the Chairman NDMA said that 330,000 families have been rendered homeless and the government has assigned top priority to those families who do not have any other source. He said that last year’s appeal was termed most successful in the world because 70% of the appealed funds were received. He said that only 10% of the cultivable land was not sowed due to standing flood waters but by 5 December this will also be done. The Chairman NDMA said that the government of Pakistan will revise appeal in the light of UN-Pak Assessment report which the provinces have also endorsed.
21st November 2011
Gender Sensitization Session at NDMA
Islamabad:
A Gender Sensitization Session was arranged by Gender and Child Cell for all the staff members of NDMA at the lobby of Banquet Hall PM Secretariat Islamabad. Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman NDMA; Ahmed Kamal, Member DRR; Brig Sajid Naeem, Member (Ops) along with Directors, Deputy Directors and support staff together with representatives from all projects running under NDMA attended the session. The main purpose of the session was to sensitize NDMA staff regarding Gender perspective to Disaster Management.
17th November 2011
Secretary Disaster Management visits NDMA
Islamabad:
The Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management, Mr. Javed Malik paid a visit to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir and senior officials of the organization welcomed Mr. Javed Malik.
The Secretary Disaster Management was given a detailed presentation about the mandate, mission and working of NDMA. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir briefed the Secretary about the performance of his organization in wake of all the disaster situations including the recent Floods of 2011, Floods 2010, Cyclones, droughts and other major disaster events that hit the country during the past few years.
The Secretary Disaster Management asked various questions regarding the disaster management mechanism in the country; and appreciated the professionalism in NDMA. He conveyed the fullest support of the ministry in pushing forward the initiatives of NDMA towards making the nation disaster resilient.
He endorsed the focus on disaster risk resistance and emphasised on investing preparedness to minimise losses in case of any disaster. He also endorsed the need for fund raising for disaster management and extending the services of disaster risk insurance to the vulnerable communities.
17th November 2011
Iran ready to construct Houses, Hospitals & Schools in Flood Hit areas
Islamabad:
The government of brotherly Islamic country of Iran has expressed willingness to construct houses, hospitals and schools in the flood affected areas with a financial input of US$ 100 million. In this regard a two member delegation of the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan comprising of Mr. Hossein Ravesh, Charge de Affairs and Mr. Seyed Saeid Hosseini, Commercial Counsellor held a meeting with the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir.
The Iranian Charge de Affairs, Mr. Hossein Ravesh said that the government of Pakistan is ready to work and assist Pakistan in this hour of need. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir urged the need for improved coordination between the Iranian and Pakistani authorities. The government of Sindh will coordinate with the Iranian government for the provision of all necessary data for the project.
16th November 2011
NDMA-UN Assessment team Successfully Complete Task
Islamabad:
The recent deluge in the country caused substantial damage to public and private infrastructure, especially in Sindh and Balochistan. Pursuing a policy of self reliance the government of Pakistan, through NDMA, incurred Billions in rescue & relief efforts in the affected areas. On 8th September, 2011, a high level joint team of NDMA & UN officials visited the flood hit areas of Sindh to assess magnitude & financial impact of the disaster. The team comprised of the Chairman NDMA, the Head of UN Mission in Pakistan & other technical & professionals. The joint team has successfully returned from the affected areas and has prepared a comprehensive assessment report. A meeting was held in NDMA headquarters to discuss the draft of this report. The meeting was attended by the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Timo Pakkala, UNDP head, Lynn Hastings, UN OCHA representative Yasmine Rocke Feller & Ms Rose Mary.
The team extensively toured the flood hit areas and held intensive meetings with all the stakeholders. The assessment report of this team will enable the launching of a response plan in Sindh and Balochistan. The NDMA will sift through the data and finalize the document in order to facilitate an effective, meaningful and productive response plan in the flood affected areas. This initiative will be instrumental in the restoration of life in the flood hit areas.
10th November 2011
NDMA sends Second Relief Consignment to Turkey
Islamabad:
On the instructions of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to provide relief and express solidarity with the distraught quake victims of brotherly Islamic country of Turkey, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sent second relief consignment to Turkey.
The humanitarian cargo was sent off by NDMA Logistic Head, Lt. Col. Muhammad Ali at Islamabad Airport. The relief cargo included Two Hundred & Twenty (220) tents. The National Disaster Management Authority had already sent a relief shipment to Turkey on 1st November which also included 220 special winterized tents.
The two brotherly countries have always stood by each other in difficult times and on this occasion also the government of Pakistan is ready to extend every possible help to its Turkish brethren.
03rd November 2011
NDMA Shares current Flood situation with the Media
Islamabad:
The situation in the flood hit areas of Sindh has tremendously improved due to the timely, positive and effective interventions of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In order to take media on board regarding current situation in flood ravaged areas, the NDMA arranged a press conference, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir conducted the event. A wide array of media personnel attended the press conference.
Apprising representatives of the media about the current flood situation, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that there is marked improvement in the on ground situation in these areas as majority of the affectees have been repatriated and only 3 lakh affectees are currently living in the 800 camps. Elaborating upon efforts of the NDMA for normalizing life in the affected areas, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that so far NDMA has made 5.5 Million procurements for the flood affectees, distributed 3.3 Million ration bags and 350,000 tents among the distraught flood victims. The Chairman NDMA informed that in one month’s time water is expected to recede from the affected areas of Sanghar, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan & Benazirabad. He requested the nation & humanitarian fraternity to remember their affected brethren on Eid-ul Azha & send woollies, medicines and other necessities for the pained chunk of humanity.
Dr. Zafar Qadir said that NDMA is active on all fronts as despite flood situation at home, NDMA has also sent 220 special winterized tents for the quake affectees of brotherly Islamic country of Turkey. He informed the audience that the UN Survey Committee was gathering data about the floods and when this information is presented to NDMA, it will share the same with the media.
01st November 2011
NDMA sends First Relief Consignment to Turkey
Islamabad:
On the instructions of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to provide relief and express solidarity with the distraught quake victims of brotherly Islamic country of Turkey, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has sent first relief consignment to Turkey.
In this regard the acting Chairman of Senate, Jan Muhammad Jamali and Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir handed over the first relief shipment to the acting Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan H.E Ayesha Jan Oztop at Islamabad Airport. Member (Operations) Brig Sajid Naeem and Logistic Head NDMA, Lt Col Muhammad Ali Haider Kazi (Retired) were also present on the occasion. The relief cargo included Two Hundred & Twenty (220) tents.
Turkey has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times and the two countries share historic relations on all levels. This humanitarian gesture by the government of Pakistan will be instrumental in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.
24th October 2011
NDMA all set to send Rescue & Relief to Turkey
Islamabad:
On the instructions of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has taken the initiative to send urgently needed relief and rescue assistance to the quake affectees of brotherly Islamic country of Turkey.
In this regard the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir has expressed his condolences to the Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan H.E M. Babur Hizlan on the tragic loss to life and property due to the quake. He informed the Turkish Ambassador that a team of doctors, surgeons and rescue specialists is ready to be dispatched to Turkey after receiving green signal from the Turkish government. He said that besides other necessary assistance, NDMA has also facilitated a Field Hospital for providing crucial medical help for the victims of the quake.
The two countries share a long history of warm and cordial brotherly relations on official and people’s level and this humanitarian gesture by the government of Pakistan in this hour of need will go a long way in strengthening this historic bond.
21st October 2011
Goodwill Ambassador of Pakistan for Women Ms Fiza Batool Gilani Visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Goodwill Ambassador of Pakistan for Women Empowerment , Ms Fiza Batool Gilani attended a briefing on ‘Women in Emergency Situations’ in NDMA; SAPM Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Member DRR, Ahmed Kamal, NDMA Advisor on Gender & Child, Ms Nyghat Siddique and other high ranking officials were also present on the occasion.
SAPM Shehnaz Wazir Ali presented ‘Women in Disaster: An overview’. She highly appreciated the role of GCC, NDMA in protecting rights of vulnerable sections of society and stressed the need to place focal persons in DDMAs to ensure provision of vital data regarding women & children.
The NDMA Advisor on Gender & Child, Ms Nyghat Siddique informed the meeting that GCC, NDMA was constituted in August 2010 on permanent basis with a view to mainstream Gender & Child vulnerabilities in disaster situations. She briefed the session that the disaster response mechanism must focuss on women and children as in case of any future disaster 70% of women and children will be at risk and in the response plan we are striving to secure this 70% chunk of vulnerable population. She said that 2.6 million men, 2.8 million women and 3.5 million children have been affected at the hands of current floods. She informed the meeting that in pursuit of Gender & Child protection NDMA is coordinating with various international agencies including UN-Women, CIDA, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, UN-HABITAT & SAVE THE CHILDREN under specific SOPs. She said that the NDMA coordinates with PDMA, DDMA and International Agencies to guide women and children in affectively responding.
The Advisor NDMA also elaborated on the social, physical and psychological constraints which women and children face in wake of disaster. She said that GCC, NDMA coordinators have been deputed in PDMA and they are providing vital feedback regarding the needs of women and children in the camps on daily basis. Ms Nyghat Siddique said that GCC, NDMA aims to promote coherence in National, Provincial and District policies with regard to Gender & Child Protection.
Member DRR, Mr. Ahmed Kamal also gave briefing to the session. He thanked all the participants for attending the briefing.Ambassador of Pakistan for Women Empowerment, Ms Fiza Batool Gilani appreciated the role of NDMA in protecting the vulnerable groups in emergency situation.
18th October 2011
NGO Capacity Building on Proposal Preparation
Islamabad:
Pakistan has seen many disasters in the recent years. The 2005 Earthquake was one of the major disasters in the recent times. The 2010 floods and the 2011 inundation of the Southern Pakistan are two other major disasters that require a massive relief, recovery, and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. During the present floods, statistics show that women and children are the most vulnerable group in any disaster as 2.8 million women and 3.5 million children are affected, whereas women and children in relief camps are 141,000 & 215,000 respectively.
In this situation the involvement of global humanitarian community becomes imperative. The international donors and development agencies as well as the international NGOs become a part of the disaster management cohort. Since these organizations do not have their footprint on the ground locally and are not aware of the local requirements therefore they enter into partnership with local NGOs and Local Support Organizations (LSOs) to channel their assistance to the affected people. On many occasions the national machinery also enters into these partnerships to extend their out reach to the beneficiaries.
In order to capacitate the local organizations to prepare proposals for funding, a training session was carried out by Gender and Child Cell (GCC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with UNWomen on 18th October, 2011 at Karachi. The training aimed to help the local organizations to understand the financial requirements as well as programmatic requirements of funding partners and to bridge the gap between the local organizations and funding partners in terms of reporting and management. Chairman NDMA Mr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir chaired the event. The GCC of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) aims at integrating gender equality and building the capacity of the NDMA to institutionally mainstream the gender perspective in management of various phases of the disaster management. A team of experts led by Advisor Gender and Child Cell and Advisor UN OCHA facilitated the session. Chairperson national commission on status of woman Ms. Anis Haroon was also present.
17th October 2011
Consultative Session on Policy Dialogue on Gender in Humanitarian Response
Islamabad:
Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Social Sector Shahnaz Wazir Ali stressed on the need of UC and village level data for appropriate disaster management and smooth relief operations. She said that government institutions such as Federal Bureau of Statistics should take the lead in the process; however the NDMA should also play an active role in coordinating with government and non government organizations that have data available with them such as National Commission on Human Development, Benezir Income Support Program among others. She was speaking at a consultative session on Gender Policy for Disaster Management organized by Gender and Child Cell of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday in Karachi.
Chairman NDMA Zafar Iqbal Qadir said that being part of this interactive dialogue was a learning experience for him. He said that NDMA is a regulatory institution at federal level and provides support to the relevant institutions and departments for disaster management and the physical implementation is the mandate of provincial level. He said that immediately after emergency was declared on October 12th, the NDMA officials reached in flood hit areas and started providing food and shelter; however distribution at the local level is the responsibility of district governments.
Responding to a comment about engaging armed forces in the rescue and relief operation, chairman NDMA said that during the previous years armed forces were heavily engaged in rescue, relief and food distribution but this year the government decided to engage civil institutions and these institutions took a couple of days to move where as the Army and Navy sent their boats on a single phone call.
He agreed to the comments made by one of the participants and said that so far disaster risk reduction side has been ignored as the disaster management authorities have been formed only three years ago and since then these institutes are continuously facing disasters and didn’t find enough time to work on the prevention. Secondly, preparedness is for the expected things but the disasters Pakistan has been facing during the past few years are unexpected and unpredicted. Never in the history of Sindh, it has received this magnitude of rain and the forecast only predicted medium to heavy rains. He added that developing countries have their own dilemma of resources constraints. Unfortunately, we have to limit ourselves to reactive mode due to resource constraints.
Mr Qadir said that early warning system has to give additional attention to women and make structural changes in the policies so that women, who are the main mobilizing forces when it comes to evacuation, are better able to take decisions for themselves and their families. He noted that toilet facilities for women has been consistently raised in the consultative process and needs to given appropriate attention in relief and rehabilitation process. He said that all the newly constructed shelters will be allotted to women members of the household and he will recommend that ownership of livestock should also be given to women members.
He appreciated Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum for their role in the relief operation and said that NDMA would like to coordinate with them to better utilize their 500 boats in rescue and relief. Responding to a query about government’s announcement of discouraging cash for choice, he said that “we don’t want our people to become habitual of asking for money”. Another concern is security risk associated with intentions of international organizations as Pakistan has experienced in the past, particularly in some areas of Punjab.
He said that NDMA is working in vulnerability mapping of districts and relief coordination is part of that mapping process. He stressed on the need of promoting volunteerism in relief process and said that this year they didn’t seem to be as active as in previous years due to devolvement of ministry responsible for them. Single Reporting Framework (SRF) of all the disaster and post disaster activities has also been prepared so that a strong database is available showing all the activities of national and international NGOs. He said that the NDMA has requested to Prime Minister to give permission for a study of all the waterways in collaboration with WAPDA and Irrigation systems to help legislate regulation of waterways. Its high time that all the illegal occupations along the waterways should be demolished.
Provincial Minister for Women Development, Sindh Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto thanked NDMA, Shahnaz Wazir Ali and other participants from government al and non-governmental organizations who came for the consultative session. She gave detailed information about Women Complex built in Shaheed Benazirabad that has day care centre, working women hostel, vocational training centre and complaint cell. She said that Provincial Women Development Department plans to open these complexes in all 23 districts. She also requested the NDMA chairman to propose increasing the women quota across the board from 10 percent to 20 percent and women representation in all the districts. She also requested the NGOs and media to portray a positive role of women. Ms Bhutto also thanked NDMA for its prompt response on Women Development Department’s request for rescue and relief in Sanghar.
The meeting was also attended by Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women Anis Haroon, Director Aurat Foundation Mehnaz Rehman, Dr Tabinda Sarosh from ShirkatGah, Dr Shahnaz Shalani from UNFPA, among other representatives of the government and non-governmental organizations.
11th October 2011
Russia Sends 2nd Relief Consignment for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
A 2nd Russian relief consignment reached Karachi Airport at 05:00 pm in a cargo flight carrying, tents140, blankets1400, motor pumps5, water filters6, and food items including 300 boxes of canned fish, 100 bags of rice and 100 sugar bags. The Consul General of Russia, Andrey V. Demidov handed over the humanitarian shipment to Director (Operations), PDMA, Sindh, Mr. Sajjad Haider. On the instructions of the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir, Head Logistics of NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Ali Haider and Liaison Officer NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Tariq Jan are coordinating all the relief flights.
08th October 2011
NDMA & the UN Launch Campaign for One Million Safe Schools, Hospitals & Resilient Cites
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) today launched the “Resilient Cities” and “One Million Safe Schools and Hospitals” campaign in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat Auditorium, Islamabad, on the eve of National Disaster Awareness Day 2011, with top officials of the relevant federal and provincial governments and partner agencies promising to make safety a priority in hazard prone cities, schools and hospitals. Chairman Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee, Senator Nayyar Bukhari was the Chief Guest, while Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction Margareta Wahlström, participated as the Guest of Honour; the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir also participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest of the occasion, Syed Nayyar Bukhari said that living nations learn from their past to make their future safe & better. He expressed the resolve that with the launch of these campaigns and other policy directions to undertake structural and non structural measures by the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, the Government of Pakistan will ensure that its schools and hospitals would function, even in disasters.
Representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs while giving key note address of the Minister for Foreign Affairs said that it is reassuring to see the resilience of people of Pakistan in the face of disasters. He expressed the hope that the launching of this campaign in Pakistan will give impetus to measures against the disasters.
In her address Margareta Wahlström appreciated initiative of the government of Pakistan to launch this campaign and said that the social impact of such initiatives goes beyond the effects of disasters. She informed the august gathering that 900 cities around the world are participating in this campaign and sharing their experiences. Ms Wahlstrom expressed the hope that the government of Pakistan will consider making substantial investment in disaster management.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir remarked that the launching of this campaign in Pakistan will add a new chapter in the disaster management system to make our cities safe, resilient and livable in wake of disasters.
07th October 2011
NDMA Promotes Gender Equality in its Ranks
Islamabad:
In order to integrate Gender Equality and build capacity of the NDMA to institutionally mainstream Gender Perspective in management of various phases of disaster management, the Gender Child Cell of the NDMA is preparing a draft Gender Equality in Disaster Management Policy for adoption by the Government of Pakistan. To incorporate views of all the stakeholders in the proposed policy document, NDMA has initiated a consultative process which will include discussions with an array of stakeholders including various civil society organizations, public sector organizations involved in disaster management and experts in the field. For initiating the consultative process, NDMA arranged an interactive dialogue. The inaugural session of the dialogue was held in NDMA headquarters in Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Chairman of Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee, Senator Nayyar Bukhari, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Shahnaz Wazir Ali &, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Disaster Risk Reduction Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom & the Chairman NDMA, Zafar Qadir attended the session.
Addressing the meeting, Senator Nayyar Bukhari highlighted government’s resolve to mainstream women and child concerns in disaster management. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, while addressing the meeting, gave Government’s vision on gendering policies to benefit women as much as men. She also highlighted special measures that should be focused while preparing gender policy in disaster management.
Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom shared international best practices and experiences with the participants of the meeting. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, also shared achievements of the NDMA in mainstreaming gender concerns within disaster management processes.
06th October 2011
Project of Telecare and eHealth published in HIFA 2015 group
Islamabad:
In the recent hard hit rain affected areas in Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Technical Collaboration with Telecare (pvt) Ltd has been instrumental in seeking new ways for providing healthcare services through innovative technologies, therefore for the first time in Pakistan, NDMA has used Mobile Health and Telecare platforms to provide timely and proper medical care in all areas, especially at the remotest hard hit areas.
Considering these problems Chairman, NDMA, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, in collaboration with the team from NDMA Technology innovation division have successfully established the first telecare facility at Badin last month, which was inaugurated by Dr Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan.
The project is being established by a local company Telecare (pvt) Ltd, which is a pioneered eHealth focused company in Pakistan. The Telecare project of NDMA is linked with specialist facility at Dow University of Health Sciences, and is being operated through a NGO, Initiative for Social Action (INSAN), Dr. Masood Hameed , the Vice Chancellor of Dow University has collaborated in providing physical resources, and the expertise of different faculties of medicine, as gesture of participation in the relief work.
Abdullah Butt Advisor of NDMA on Technology Innovation said that another milestone in Telehealth is the launch of Pakistan's first Telemedicine Mobile Unit (TMU), these mobile units are sponsored by AMAN Foundation, which are fully equipped vehicles along with state of the art biometric devices, and data from these devices will be transferred from affected locations through wireless broadband or EDGE based mobile internet to the specialist facility. Those TMUs will be transmitting live video /Audio of patient through broadband link to the specialist in Karachi, who will be looking at patients Eyes, Ears, Nose and throat through high definition magnified live video as well as the vital data will also be available for them to aid in the diagnose of the diseases.
The technology is being used for the first time in the country. The effectiveness of the first Telecare initiative of NDMA in Badin, led Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Yousuf Raza Gillani to direct NDMA to establish such facilities in all provinces that are affected by any calamity in Pakistan.
At present, these two mobile telemedicine units will be based at Hyderabad and Thatta locations, and the specialists from more than 12 faculties from Dow University of Health Sciences, will be looking at those patients through video and data linkage.
HIFA2015 profile: Abdullah Butt is the Chief Executive of Phonecast (pvt) Ltd, an e-health service provider company and Founder Executive director of Telecare (pvt) Ltd, With a brand called CALLDOC. This e health service is based in Karachi, Pakistan. Abdullah Butt has recently been taken the assignment as Advisor Technology Innovation at National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at Prime Minister Secretariat- Pakistan, with objective to bring in innovative tools and application to fight the after effects of Disasters like Rain, flood, Earth quakes and terrorism. From the platform of NDMA Abdullah Butt has a setup Remote mobile camp where victims are treated using wireless bio medical sensors and live video connectivity back to specialists sitting a city’s man hospitals. Abdullah Butt is a leading e-health technology integrator and consultant who uses state of the art call center technology and works with leading European medical sensor companies, Phonecast e-health service CALLDOC is currently using CTI enabled platform to save Maternal and Child mortality. While Telecare is working with Pakistan’s leading Medical University, Dow University of Health Sciences in Pakistan and AMAN Foundation, Pakistan’s leading NGO working n primary healthcare. Whereas Phonecast has designed and implemented state of the art technologies for Hybrid e-learning technology for delivery of live and recorded educational and training content to a large online audiences through IP publishing technology developed by PBX Telecom of Romania. abutt AT phonecast.tv, as well as advisorit AT ndma.gov.pk
06th October 2011
Russia Sends Relief Consignment for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
A Russian relief flight reached Karachi Airport at 5:15 pm, carrying tents, dewatering pumps, water purifiers, blankets and food. The Consul General of Russia, Andrey V. Demidov handed over the humanitarian shipment to Director (Operations), PDMA, Sindh, Mr. Sajjad Haider. On the instructions of the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir, Head Logistics of NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Ali Haider and Liaison Officer NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Tariq Jan are coordinating all the relief flights.
06th October 2011
Special Representative of UNSG calls on Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Disaster Risk Reduction Ms Margareta Wahlstrom who is on a two days (6 Oct to 8 Oct) visit to Pakistan to have first hand knowledge about the magnitude of floods, called on the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Timo Pakkala, and UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan Mr. Toshi Tanaka were also present on this occasion.
Chairman Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir briefed the delegation about the magnitude of floods in Sindh and ongoing relief operation being conducted in the province aiming to provide timely relief to the flood hit people of Sindh. Chairman informed that the rain victims are being provided all the required items including tents, food & medicine. He said that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is being equipped to expedite the relief operation. The Chairman NDMA pledged to provide every possible relief to the flood hit population.
06th October 2011
NDMA to Observe Disaster Day
Islamabad:
In remembrance of the Martyrs of October 8, 2005 Earthquake, the greatest of Disasters in the history of Pakistan, the whole nation will observe Disaster Day on 8 October, 2011. The objective of this event is to express solidarity with the bereaved families who lost their family members on that October day and to arouse the spirit of individual and group enrichment to face the challenges in the post disaster scenario.
In consonance with the significance of the occasion, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the help of the UN, is launching an awareness campaign for safe Schools, Hospitals and more resilient civic facilities. Assigning high priority to the campaign and to the Disaster risk Reduction in the backdrop of recent natural disasters which occurred in Pakistan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Disaster Risk Reduction Ms Margareta Wahlstrom is visiting Pakistan from 06 October 2011 to 08 October 2011 to further take along a more pro-active DRR agenda in Pakistan with increasing emphasis on effective mitigation, prevention and prepared in case of disasters.
The national launch of the United Nation’s International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)’s Global campaigns of “One Million Safe Schools and Hospitals” and “Resilient Cities” will also be organized by the National Disaster Management Authority on 8th October on the eve of National Disaster Awareness Day 2011. Madam Margareta Wahlström, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, parliamentarians and high level officials of the Government of Pakistan shall attend the ceremony.
This event will also include a technical session in which representatives of different cities, educational and Health institutions will pledge to make cities disaster resilient, and schools and hospitals safe from threat of any disaster. Besides, demonstration for on-line pledging will be given to the participants about how to pledge and to sensitize them about their role in disaster risk reduction.
On-line pledging by volunteers for safe schools and hospitals will also take place simultaneously during the event.
It may be recalled that UNISDR has launched this campaign around the globe to address the priorities set in the Hyogo Framework of Action. It is hoped that this launch will provide a forum for different stakeholders to become partners in disaster risk reduction through becoming active partners for this campaign which seeks to raise public awareness and help to create a demand for safe schools and health facilities.
04th October 2011
NDMA Join Hands with Abrar-ul-Haq to Raise Funds for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has joined forces with Pakistan’s famous singer of international following, Abrar-ul-Haq to raise funds for the flood affectees. This collaboration was made public in a press conference which was jointly conducted by the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir and Abrar-ul-Haq.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir apprised representatives of media about the current flood situation, on-going rescue & relief activities & the humanitarian alliance with Abrar. He informed that so far NDMA has received donations of US$ 140 Million for the flood affectees out of which 38.5 Million have been transferred for relief activities. “We have also provided relief items worth Rs. 7 Million in flood hit areas”, he added.
Speaking at the press conference Abrar-ul-Haq said that SAHARA Trust has start working on the project of constructing houses for 1300 flood affected families. He told media personnel that out of these 1300 houses, 600 have been sponsored by the OIC. Abrar-ul-Haq reiterated the resolve to extend every possible help for his distressed brethren.
03rd October 2011
NDMA Arrange Workshop on “Responsive Reporting & Media”
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority’s Gender & Child Cell arranged a one-day sensitization workshop on “Responsive reporting & Media” at the Press-Club in Islamabad. Main purpose of the workshop was to sensitize and build the capacity of media personnel on the issues related to reporting and advocating for gender mainstreaming in reporting & advocating all aspects of media specially while reporting. The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while representatives from different news agencies along with people from civil society organizations and NDMA participated in the one day activity.
The workshop stressed role of Media in educating people about the current social issues and in forming people's opinion about important issues. The current workshop tried to assess how media covers and presents gender perspective in disaster.
The workshop discussed collection of data, news items and filming gender issues during emergencies in both print and electronic media. The participants stressed that reporters should also highlight the weaknesses of all stakeholders at all levels who are involved in dealing with disaster. Attitudes and perceptions of social norms associated with Gender and child related issues also came under discussion.
In her address, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, elaborately reflected on the topic, calling for the need of unity in these difficult times. She emphasized the need for capacity building in the media. She appreciated the holding of such an event at Provincial and district level to enhance the capacity for accurate and responsible reporting.
While addressing the workshop Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that his institution has always come forward to perform their best for the protection of people during natural calamities and disasters. He said that the media should be powerful enough to support our goals and cope with challenges.
02nd October 2011
Chairman NDMA Inaugurates Telemedicine Mobile Unit in Karachi
Islamabad:
To provide timey & swift medical advice to the flood affectees of Sindh, NDMA provisioned a state of the art Telemedicine based Mobile Unit for the flood affectees of Sindh, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir inaugurated the facility in Press Club, Karachi. The members of Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Committee including Nayyar Bukhari (MNA), Nazar Muhammad Gondal (MNA) and representatives of media were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that this modern facility will bring leading medical specialists of Pakistan through Tele Medicine and Wireless Broadband video linkage into rain affected areas of Sindh using state of the art Bio Medical Sensors for the evaluation of ENT, Eyes, Teeth and Skin etc diseases for diagnoses. He reiterated the resolve that NDMA will relentlessly pursue the goal of comprehensive rehabilitation of all flood hit people.
On this occasion, members of Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Committee expressed the hope that the provision of this Remote Patient Evaluation facility, using Telemedicine & Broadband, will go a long way in assuring provision of latest health facilities to the flood ravaged population.
01st October 2011
Flood Relief Committee visits to Sanghar, Umarkot, Naukot & Mirpurkhas
Islamabad:
In order to monitor the relief operation and get updates about the prevailing situation in flood hit areas, the Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee visited flood ravaged areas of district Sanghar, district Umarkot, district Naukot and district Mirpur Khas. The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir & a team of NDMA officials also accompanied the Parliamentary body.
During their visit to district Sanghar, DCO Sanghar, Ghulam Haider briefed the committee about the current flood situation in the area. He also gave an update on the relief activities being carried out in the affected areas. The DCO Sanghar said that there is a shortage of tents in Sanghar but the supply of ration is steady. The committee visited the site where 10 dewatering pumps had been installed to pump out flood water. These pumps are taking out 5-7 cusec water daily. The Provincial Minister of Sindh, Shazia marri also met the committee and appreciated their efforts for the flood hit areas.
During their visit to the affected areas of Umarkot, the committee was briefed about the flood situation by the concerned DCO. He informed the visiting high level body about the supply and the actual requirement of ration in the area. The FRC directed the Chairman NDMA to provide all the required ration to the affectees of the area. The DCO Umarkot complained about the shortage of medicine for the affected population. The Chairman NDMA, DR. Zafar Qadir instructed the concerned authorities to ensure the supply of all the required medicines for the affected people of the area.
During their visit to the flood hit areas of district Mirpur Khas and district Naukot, the visiting committee members and the NDMA officials had detailed interactive sessions with the local administration about the flood situation and the humanitarian initiatives on going in the area.
30th September 2011
The Chairman NDMA hold a Press Conference about the current Flood Situation
Islamabad:
To take representatives of the media on board about the prevailing situation in flood hit areas, the Media Wing of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged a Press Conference in Press Club, Karachi.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir gave a detailed briefing to the media persons about the current flood situation and the on going relief initiatives of the Federal government and the NDMA in these areas. He assured that the disaster mechanism was in place and every effort will be made to mitigate hardships of the flood affectees.
30th September 2011
Flood Relief Committee Members & Chairman NDMA meet CM Sindh
Islamabad:
Members of Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee, Nayyar Bokhari, Nazar Muhammad Gondal and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir called on Syed Qaim Ali Shah the Chief Minister Sindh, Director General PDMA; Sindh was also present on the occasion.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir briefed the meeting about the prevailing flood situation in Sindh. He apprised the participants that so far 70,000 mosquito nets have been provided to government of Sindh. The Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah appreciated the efforts of NDMA in providing relief to the affectees in Sindh. He said that Sanghar was the worst affected district and in this context the relief efforts should be focused on this area.
Member National Assembly, Nazar Muhammad Gondal observed that the response of international community is relatively slow which could hamper humanitarian initiatives of the government of Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, DG, PDMA, Sindh, suggested that the international aid should be directly delivered to the government to ensure complete visibility in distribution.
The Provincial Secretary Finance requested Flood Relief Committee to liaison with the Federal government to ensure availability of funds to facilitate smooth provisioning of Pakistan Card to the flood affected population. The Irrigation department officials informed the session that the flood water is expected to recede in the next 25 to 40 days. On this occasion, officials of the Agriculture department said that Sindh government will provide wheat seeds to the farmers & Sunflower seeds will be provided to the farmers of those areas where water will recede late.
30th September 2011
Chairman NDMA meets DG, PDMA, Sindh
Islamabad:
The NDMA delegation led by Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman NDMA met DG, PDMA, Sindh & Secretary Rehabilitation Mr. Saleh Ahmed Farouqi. The meeting reviewed prevailing situation in flood hit areas, updates on incurred losses and the details of relief provided to the flood affected districts. The DG, PDMA, Sindh, briefed the Chairman NDMA about the humanitarian initiatives underway to provide relief to the affected souls. Dr. Zafar Qadir assured that every possible cooperation will be extended to PDMA, Sindh for mitigating plight of the affected population.
29th and 30th September 2011
NDMA & Save the Children finalize Child Protection policy for separated, unaccompanied & missing children in emergencies
Islamabad:
A two-day consultative workshop is being held in collaboration with the Gender and Child Cell (GCC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Save the Children. The participants of the workshop discussed the Child Protection policy drafted by GCC and Save the Children.
NDMA Chairman, Mr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir while inaugurating the Work Shop said, “NDMA is committed on providing support to the GCC and is keen on developing a concrete mechanism for Child Protection in the aftermath of disasters. As NDMA is mandated with the management of pre- and post-disaster situations, there is a pertinent need to institutionalize Child Protection and ensure smooth service delivery.” The Chairman lauded the efforts of GCC, Save the Children and UNICEF in drafting the Child Protection Policy and standard operating procedures aimed at supporting separated, missing and unaccompanied children in emergencies.
Save the Children Country Director, David Wright said, “The absence of a clearly defined child protection policy and mechanism was direly felt while responding to last year’s floods. This culminated in unnecessary delays in responding to children’s needs”.
Over 10 million children were affected by the 2010 floods and a number of children were separated and unaccompanied. Save the Children and UNICEF, in collaboration with the NDMA, jointly devised a standardized policy for Child Protection and a reunification mechanism for separated children.
UNICEF Deputy Country Director, Karen Allen said, “These guidelines should be disseminated at the provincial and district levels to make the policy operational. If implemented in its true essence, the policy can bring about positive change in the lives of millions of children in Pakistan”.
The two-day consultative workshop will incorporate feedback on the draft Child Protection policy with officials of Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, Social Welfare Departments and humanitarian agencies. The workshop aims to reach a consensus on a Child Protection Policy for helping children in emergency situations.
28th September 2011
Flood Relief Committee, NDMA & the UN agencies share notes
Islamabad:
To get an update on UN agencies response to the Appeal for 2011 flood affectees & their resource mobilization, donor response & maturity time for contribution, expectations of the UN from government of Pakistan/NDMA & the issues and challenges posed by the recent floods, a meeting of the Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee with the NDMA & UN agencies was convened. The meeting was attended by members of the Committee, including Qamar Uz zaman Kaira, Nayyar Bukhari, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Timmo Pakkala, the UNDP Country Director Mr. Toshi Tanaka & representatives of various other UN agencies.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir updated the session about the current flood situation in the affected areas and the on going relief activities. He informed the meeting that the Parliamentary Flood Relief Committee has already paid two visits to the flood hit areas & they are again visiting the affected areas on the 29th September to ensure that the disaster mechanism is in place & relief is provided to each and every affected soul. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that this meeting intends to share point of view of the government with the UN agencies and get their perspective as well. He said that the President and the Prime Minister are continuously engaged in developing links with the international community. The Chairman NDMA informed that currently US$ 356.7 Million are required for Food Security, Health, Shelter, WASH, Coordination & Logistics.
Speaking on the occasion, Qamar Uz Zaman Kaira stressed the need for improved coordination among all the stakeholders. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Timmo Pakkala, asked for high level commitment towards the flood affectees & close coordination with the community to utilize available resources in the best possible manner. He termed NDMA as the highest coordinating body in case of disasters and highly appreciated its role in all such situations. Mr. Timo Pakkala said that the international community responded to the appeal of the government for assistance but the response is relatively slow & US$ 20 Million have so far been donated by the international humanitarian fraternity. He suggested focusing individual donors in order to see if they have any reservations.
The UNDP Country Director, Mr. Toshi Tanaka said that the focus is on the institutional capacity of PDMA. The representative of UNHCR informed the session that his organization has provisioned 10,000 tents to flood affectees of Sindh & 5,000 for those of Balochistan. The Member Operations, NDMA, Brig. Sajid Naeem informed the meeting that so far 280,000 tents have been distributed among the affectees. He thanked all UN agencies for their unflinching commitment with this humanitarian undertaking.
28th September 2011
Egypt sends 2nd Relief Consignment for flood affectees
Islamabad:
The brotherly Islamic country of Egypt sent 2nd relief consignment in a military cargo flight which reached Karachi Airport at 02:00 PM. The relief cargo included 70 tents, 68 Boxes & 2 Cartons of medicines weighing 2.9 tons for the flood affectees. The Deputy Chief of Egyptian Mission in Pakistan, Mr. Tarek Kotb handed over the humanitarian shipment to Deputy Director (Operations), PDMA, Sindh, Mr. Abdul Jabbar Memon. The Head Logistics of NDMA, Lt Col Muhammad Ali Haider (Retd), was also present on the occasion who is coordinating all the relief flights.
27th September 2011
FRC Meeting Convenes
Islamabad:
The meeting of Flood Relief Committee held in NDMA Headquarter, PM Secretariat, Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Qamar-uz-Zaman Qaira, Raja Parvez Ashraf, Nargis Sethi, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir and Nayyar Bukhari.
The meeting reviewed prevailing situation in flood hit areas, updates on incurred losses and the details of relief provided to the flood affected districts.
The participants of the meeting reiterated the resolve of the government to use every available resource for mitigating hardships of the flood affectees.
26th September 2011
NDMA Keeps Media onboard about the Floods
Islamabad:
In order to apprise media about the current flood situation and the continuing rescue & relief efforts, the National Disaster management Authority (NDMA) arranged a Press Briefing.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir gave a detailed account of the prevailing situation in the flood hit areas. He informed representatives of the media about the activities of the NDMA for the provision of relief to the affected population.
The Health Coordinator, NDMA, Ms. Sabina Durrani elaborated upon the health interventions in flood hit areas by NDMA to provide much needed health inputs to the affectees.
26th September 2011
Egypt sends Relief Consignment for flood affectees
Islamabad:
The brotherly Islamic country of Egypt sent a relief consignment in a military cargo flight which reached Karachi Airport at 12 pm noon. The relief cargo included 2000 blankets and 50 tents for the flood affectees. The Deputy Chief of Egyptian Mission in Pakistan, Mr. Tarek Kotb handed over the humanitarian shipment to Deputy Director (Operations), PDMA, Sindh, Mr. Abdul Jabbar Memon. On the instructions of the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir, Head Logistics of NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Ali Haider, is coordinating all the relief flights.
25th September 2011
France sends Relief for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
A French relief flight reached Karachi Airport at 4 am, carrying tents, water purification station, medicines and potable water bottles. The French Consul General Mr. Christian RAMAGE was also present on the occasion.
24th September 2011
China sends 2nd Relief Consignment for flood affectees
Islamabad:
The 2nd relief consignment from China reached Karachi Airport at 12.30 am. The relief cargo included 4000 tents for the flood affectees. The first Chinese relief shipment, carrying 3000 tents, reached Karachi on 23 September, 2011. On the instructions of the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir, Head Logistics of NDMA, Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Ali Haider, is coordinating all the relief flights.
24th September 2011
Korea sends 2nd Relief Cargo for flood affectees
Islamabad:
Second relief consignment from Korea landed at Karachi Airport at 11.15 pm, 2011. The relief load came in a commercial flight which included 6 pieces of blankets and tents meant for the flood hit population of Sindh.
24th September 2011
NDMA Brief the Prime Minister about the Floods
Islamabad:
The recent erratic monsoon pattern has effected the whole of the country but Sindh is the worst effected. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged a briefing to apprise the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, about the current situation in the flood affected areas & initiatives of Federal government & the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in providing rescue & relief to the affected population. Ambassadors of various countries, representatives of international organizations, NGOs & INGOs and leading print & electronic media personalities attended the briefing.
Extending an overview of the flood situation in Sindh, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that unusual rain pattern have triggered floods which have badly affected 11 districts of Sindh, affecting 8.188 Million population, causing 392 deaths, inundating 6.5 Million acres of land & 1.5 Million acres of cropped area. He informed the audience that a total of 3,305 relief camps have been established which house 694,586 affectees. In case of Balochistan, flood waters have badly affected 5 districts, a population of 77,497causing 23 deaths, affecting 7599 houses, inundating 11,737 acres of land, 88,595 acres of Orchard area & damaging 390 km of link roads. Apprising luminaries about interventions of the Federal government & the NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that NDMA, PDMA & the DDMAs were immediately mobilized & rescue & relief operation was launched forthwith. As a part of this humanitarian undertaking, government established relief camps, food supply chain was established & so far 1.2 Million ration packs have been provisioned to the affectees which are good enough for a family for a week, the entire stock of tents in the market was procured, urgently needed medicines and water purification plants have been provisioned to the flood hit population. Dr. Zafar Qadir told the august gathering that in view of the scale of destruction, government has appealed for an assistance of US$ 356 Million to the international community.
Speaking at the occasion, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Timo Pakkala termed NDMA’s presentation as excellent. He informed the session that the UN is ready to extend every possible help to government of Pakistan in this hour of need.
In his address, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, said that the nation has faced this calamity for two consecutive years and we have come out stronger and more resilient as this calamity has brought the best in us. He said that the floods have disrupted lives and standing crops have been destroyed. He appealed to the international community to come forward and reach out to the distressed humanity in these difficult times. The Prime Minister Gillani said that the overwhelming response to his appeal for assistance has reinstated his faith in the concept of universal brotherhood.
On behalf of his government, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan presented a cheque for the flood affectees and reiterated the resolve of his government to stand by their Pakistani brethren in these trying times.
23rd September 2011
Korea sends 1st Relief Shipment for flood affectees
Islamabad:
A commercial Korean flight, carrying 4 pieces of blankets & tents, reached at Karachi Airport at 11.15 pm. The relief goods will be dispatched to the flood ravaged areas of Sindh.
23rd September 2011
Turkey sends relief for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
A relief cargo flight from the brotherly country of Turkey landed at Karachi Airport at 8.30 pm with a bulk of medicines for the flood affectees. The Consul General of Turkey, Mr. Murat M. Onart was also present on this occasion.
23rd September 2011
China sends Relief Goods for Flood affectees
Islamabad:
In response to President of Pakistan’s appeal to international community for assistance of flood hit population, the government of friendly country of China sent 4 military cargo flights carrying relief goods. This relief shipment was sent to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for distribution among the flood affectees. On the request of NDMA, the Consul General of Peoples Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Jian Xin formally handed over this relief cargo to Mr. Nawaz Sheikh, Director PDMA, Sindh, while Col. Muhammad Ali Haider, Head of Logistics, NDMA was also present on this occasion.
The relief shipment consisted of 3000 tents, each of which can house 6 persons, and a large quantity of other urgently needed relief items.
This gesture of humanitarian concern by China will go a long way in consolidating already cordial, long standing bilateral ties between the two countries.
23rd September 2011
Danish Government promises US$ 55,000 as flood relief donation
Islamabad:
The recent floods destroyed public and private infrastructure in Sindh. The health, education and communication infrastructure has sustained substantial damage. A large part of cropped land has been inundated which has caused damage to 80% of cash crops. The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari appealed to the international community to provide assistance for flood affectees as the scale of the floods made it difficult for any single stakeholder to cope with aftermath of the disaster.
In a meeting with the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, the Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, H.E Uffe Wolffhechel, on behalf of his government promised to extend US$ 55,000 as flood relief donation for the flood affectees.
This Donation from Denmark is a testament of the trust that the international humanitarian fraternity has in the government of Pakistan & its disaster management system. This initiative will be instrumental in the provision of urgently needed relief to the flood hit people.
22nd September 2011
NDMA join hands with Aisam-Ul-Haq to raise funds for Flood Affectees
Islamabad:
In an effort to raise funds for the flood affectees, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has joined hands with Pakistan’s ace tennis star of international fame, Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. This holly alliance was made public in a press conference which was jointly conducted by the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir and our star tennis player Esaam Ul Haq.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir apprised representatives of media about the current flood situation, on-going rescue & relief activities & the humanitarian alliance with Esaam. He expressed the resolve to take every possible initiative for mitigating hardships of flood hit population.
Speaking at the press conference Esaam Ul Haq assured that as a human, a Muslim & a Pakistani I am concerned for the well being of my affected brethren. He vowed to sensitize international community about the plight of flood affectees. Esaam Ul Haq informed media that international tennis players like Roger Federer, Raul Nadal & Maria Sharapova have given their rackets etc to him which will be auctioned with the assistance of NDMA & the funds thus generated will be used for the affectees. He proposed to the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir to arrange tennis matches among players of international fame who will be invited by him. Esaam Ul Haq reiterated to change as many lives as he could in the flood hit areas.
21st September 2011
Japanese Ambassador hands over emergency relief goods to Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
As the enormity of recent floods and the consequent damage to life & property, especially in Sindh, stretched the available resources of government of Pakistan, the President of Pakistan formally appealed for assistance to the international community.
In response to this appeal, the Japanese government provided emergency relief goods for the flood affectees of Sindh which arrived at Hyderabad for distribution among the affected population. In conjunction with the arrival of these goods, a formal ceremony was held in Prime Minister’s Secretariat. In the auspicious ceremony, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E Hiroshi OE handed over the list of these goods to the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir. The aid included 3,500 tents and 1,006,900 water purification tablets.
As a gesture of goodwill and humanitarian concern for the flood affected people of Sindh, the government of Japan announced provision of emergency relief goods worth US$ 450,000 on the 9th of September, 2011.
19th September 2011
Chairman NDMA briefed President Zardari about the current Flood situation
Islamabad:
The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari is currently in Sindh. A briefing was held at Bilawal House in Karachi, the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir conducted the briefing. The briefing was attended by Syed Qain Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Raja Parvez Ashraf, Member Flood Relief Committee, Dr. Zafar Qadir, Chairman NDMA & senior officials of Federal & Provincial governments attended the briefing.
Addressing audience of the briefing, President Asif Ali Zardari instructed senior government officials in each affected district to actively monitor & coordinate distribution of relief goods provided by the government, international agencies, local & foreign NGOs and philanthropists to ensure seamless provision of rescue, relief to the affectees. He reiterated resolve of his government to utilize all available resources for providing relief & rehabilitating the lives of the flood hit people.
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir gave a detailed briefing to the President about the current flood situation & the on going rescue & relief activities in these areas. He informed the President that in consonance with directives of the government, every possible measure is being adopted to provide timely rescue & effective relief to the flood hit population.
19th September 2011
A CARITAS International Delegation hands over cheque of one million to Member DRR NDMA
Islamabad:
A six member delegation of CARITAS led by Mr. Michael Roy, Secretary General, Caritas International, Vatican City called on Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Member DRR in NDMA. The delegation included Bishop Joseph Couttes, President, Caritas Pakistan and Bishop Rufin Anthony, Bishop of Islamabad & Rawalpindi besides other representatives of CARITAS Pakistan.
Mr. Ahmed Kamal appreciated the humanitarian initiatives of Caritas Pakistan during Floods 2010, particularly facilitating the affected communities in shelter, health and WASH and also acknowledged CARITAS for helping farmers in recovering their land by providing them with seeds, fertilizers and tools to accelerate the rehabilitation process. The Member DRR, NDMA, duly acknowledged CARITAS initiative to impart trainings for disaster risk management (DRM) in collaboration with NDMA.
Mr. Michel Roy presented a cheque of Rupees One million in the National Disaster Management Fund to pursue promotion of DRM training and awareness. Mr. Ahmed Kamal thanked the delegation for their philanthropic gesture and presented them with Shields as mementos to mark the occasion.
18th September 2011
Chairman NDMA accompanied the PM during his visits to Flood affected areas of Sindh
Islamabad:
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani visited the flood ravaged areas of Naukot, Sindheri and Umarkot. The members of the Flood relief Committee and the chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir accompanied the Prime Minister.
As an act of concern and care for the affected souls, the Prime Minister compromised his security and freely mingled with the flood affectees during his visit of the relief camps. He enquired about the main issues faced by the affectees, provision or otherwise of the relief & instructed the concerned authorities to immediately take necessary steps to deal with those challenges. Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, during this visit, expressed the resolve to take every step to finally alleviate hardships of the affectees.
18th September 2011
Govt. Of Pakistan & the UN Launch Rapid Response Plan Pakistan Floods-2011
Islamabad:
The recent floods have caused epic destruction in large parts of Sindh & Balochistan. The Government of Pakistan used all the available resources to cope with the effects of this disaster but the gargantuan scale of this disaster made it imperative to ask the international community for assistance to supplement GoP’s efforts by filling all the resource gaps. Taking the initiative, the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari requested UN Secretary General Ban Ke Moon to augment GoP’s efforts. The UN Secretary General immediately sent a delegation to analyze the situation and based on the assessments of this delegation, GoP & the UN have prepared Rapid Response Plan-Pakistan Floods 2011, which was jointly launched by GoP & the UN. This Rapid Response Plan seeks US$356.7 million to enable UN agencies & other humanitarian actors to provide comprehensive relief to the affectees. Dr. Firdaus Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister For Information & Broadcasting was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Timo Pakkala, UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Himayat Ullah Khan, Acting Secretary E.A.D & Brig Sajid Naeem, NDMA’s head of Operations attended the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Firdaus Ashiq Awan said that under the dynamic leadership of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, GoP, through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has so far provisioned 166,000 tents, 869,000 family ration packs, a large number of blankets, mosquito nets, water purification units/tablets & jerry canes.
Brig. Sajid Naeem gave a detailed briefing to the participants on the situation, the efforts of the federal and provincial Governments, NDMA, PDMA and way forward on the relief operation and assistance of the international humanitarian community.
Mr. Timo Pakala, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, presenting UN’s assessment of the situation, informed that four key clusters have been rolled out which include Food Security, Health, Shelter and Water & Sanitation, while Early Recovery, Gender and protection will be dealt with as cross cutting themes. He said that this assistance will support the Government of Pakistan in addressing the needs of flood-affected families for six months. The plan will be revised within 30 days to more accurately reflect humanitarian needs as the situation evolves and additional assessments are completed which include early recovery strategies for helping people recover and rebuild their lives.
17th September 2011
Chairman NDMA accompanied the PM during his visits to Flood Hit areas of Nawabshah
Islamabad:
To get firsthand knowledge of the on ground flood situation, oversee the on going rescue & relief activities & show solidarity & compassion to his distraught brethren, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani visited flood affected areas of district Nawabshah. Apart from members of the Flood Relief Committee, Governor of Punjab Sardar Abdul Latif Khosa, Sindh Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir accompanied him during the visit.
The Chief Secretary Sindh and DG, PDMA, Sindh gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister Gillani about the floods, consequent situation and the resultant humanitarian initiatives in the flood hit areas.
15th September 2011
Flood Relief Committee visits Flood Hit areas of Sindh
Islamabad:
The flood waters have caused considerable damage to life & property in Sindh. To oversee and monitor the on going rescue and relief activities in the flood hit areas, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani had formed a high level parliamentary Flood Relief Committee which included Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Parevez Ashraf, Zamurd Khan, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary Information & Broadcasting, PS to the PM & the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The Flood Relief Committee is currently visiting the flood hit areas of Sindh to ensure seamless provision of rescue and relief to flood affectees.
In this regard the committee visited flood affected areas of district Badin, Umarkot and Naukot in district Mitthi. The Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Information, Sharjeel Memeon, MNA, Nazar Muhammad Gondal and NDMA officials also accompanied Flood Relief Committee. The high level committee & CM Sindh met with the concerned MNA, DCO, high level officials & Local Body representatives. The meeting discussed prevailing flood situation and on going rescue and relief activities in the affected areas.
The Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the Flood Relief Committee visited relief camps in Badin & Naukot. Syed Qaim Ali Shah handed over cheques of Rs. 200,000 to affectees with families & Rs. 100,000 to single affectees in Naukot. Addressing at the occasion, CM, Sindh assured the affectees that the government will not leave them & will take every step to mitigate their sufferings. He said that the grief is mutual & everything possible will be done to alleviate their hardships.
13th September 2011
Flood Relief Committee Meets CM, Sindh
Islamabad:
The flood waters have caused considerable damage to life & property in Sindh. The public and the private sectors have sustained substantial losses. In the context of the recent floods, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani had formed a high level parliamentary Flood Relief Committee to oversee and monitor the on going rescue and relief activities in the flood hit areas.
The Flood Relief Committee is currently visiting the flood hit areas to ensure seamless provision of rescue and relief to flood affectees. In this regard the committee called on Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister, Sindh. The session discussed prevailing flood situation and on going rescue and relief activities in Sindh. The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir, who is also a member of this committee, apprised the session that 90,000 more ration packs have reached 12 affected districts, while from 14 September onwards, 100,000 such packs will be delivered to the flood affectees on daily basis.
After the meeting, the committee held a press conference to brief media about steps of the Federal government, in collaboration with the Provincial government & other concerned offices, to provide relief to the distraught affectees. It was affirmed that every step is being taken to alleviate hardships of the affectees.
13th September 2011
Chairman NDMA meets DG, PDMA, Sindh
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir is currently taking an extensive tour of the flood affected areas of Sindh to ensure timely and transparent provision of rescue and relief to the flood hit population.
During his visit, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, met DG, PDMA, Sindh & Secretary Rehabilitation Mr. Saleh Ahmed Farouqi. The meeting discussed matters related to the prevailing flood situation in Sindh & the consequent rescue and relief efforts being extended in these areas. The DG, PDMA, Sindh, gave a detailed briefing to the Chairman NDMA about the on ground situation in the affected areas, including the extent of destruction & the humanitarian initiatives underway to provide relief to the affected souls.
Dr. Zafar Qadir assured that NDMA has the expertise and the will to effectively face the challenges posed by this calamity & every possible cooperation will be extended to PDMA, Sindh for mitigating plight of the affected population.
12th September 2011
PM includes Chairman NDMA in a high level Flood Relief Committee
Islamabad:
The recent floods have devastated Sindh. The plight of the affected population does not seem to end as the continued torrential rains are worsening the situation.
In order to ensure provision of timely rescue and relief to the flood affectees and monitor all such activities, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has formed a high level Flood Relief Committee. The committee members include Syed Khurshid Shah, Qamar uz Zaman Kaira, Zamurd Khan, Raja Parvez Ashraf, Cabinet Secretary, Secretary Information, PS to the PM and the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir.
The committee held its debut meeting in NDMA headquarters. The session discussed the current flood situation and the ongoing rescue and relief activities.
12th September 2011
Chinese Ambassador presents US$ 50,000 cheque for Flood affectees to the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
The recent floods have disrupted life & destroyed vital infrastructure in Sindh. The health, education and communication infrastructure has sustained substantial damage. A considerable part of land including cropped land has been inundated which has caused damage to 80% of cash crops. The fiscal scale of flood incurred damages range into Billions.
The Ambassador of friendly country of China to Pakistan, H.E Liu Jieng presented a cheque of US$ 50,000 to the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir for the flood affectees. China has also promised to extend further aid of US$ 4.7 Million for the flood ravaged areas. China will also provide tents for the flood affectees.
This aid contribution from China will go a long way in strengthening the long standing bilateral ties between the neighbourly countries.
09th September 2011
Speaker NA Inaugurates Telemedicine Center in Badin
Islamabad:
To provide timey & swift medical advice to the flood affectees, the NDMA, with the technical collaboration of Telecare (Pvt) Ltd, launched a state of the art; Telemedicine based Telecare Center in District Hospital Badin. The Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza inaugurated the facility. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir & UN head of Mission in Pakistan, Timo Pakkala was also present on the occasion.
Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Fehmida Mirza informed that in this Center all bio-medical sensors and live video links will be established at District Hospital, Badin, where all visiting patients will be examined by doctors from Karachi at NDMA’s Helpline Center.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman NDMA reiterated that the provision of this Remote Patient Evaluation facility, using Telemedicine & Broadband, will go a long way in assuring provision of latest health facilities to the flood ravaged population.
09th September 2011
Speaker NA & Chairman NDMA briefed Media in Badin
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir, along with a NDMA-UN Assessment team & a Media delegation, is currently visiting the flood hit areas of Sindh. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly, is also present in Badin. A briefing was held in Badin to apprise representatives of the media about the on-going rescue & relief activities in the affected areas. The head of UN Mission Mr. Timo Pakkala was also present on the occasion.
Dr. Femida Mirza briefed the Media about the efforts of the Federal government to provide relief to the affected population. The Speaker National Assembly told Media that provision of relief to the affected people was the top priority of the government and every effort will be made to achieve this goal.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir informed representatives of the Media about flood consequent losses & inputs of NDMA for providing rescue & relief to the people of the affected areas. He said that NDMA has already provided substantial relief to the flood ravaged areas & more relief was on the way which will soon reach the affectees. Dr. Zafar Qadir assured that NDMA will do whatever it takes to mitigate hardships of the affected population.
09th September 2011
NDMA-UN Assessment team meets CM Sindh
Islamabad:
The flood situation in Sindh has affected a large portion of population and destroyed infrastructure. The health, education and communication infrastructure has sustained substantial damage. A high level team visited the flood hit areas of Sindh to assess scale & financial impact of the disaster. The team comprises of the Chairman NDMA, the Head of UN Mission in Pakistan & other technical & professionals.
The NDMA-team held a meeting with Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh. The meeting was attended by all the provincial secretaries & government officials. The meeting discussed rescue & relief activities in Sindh. The session decided to launch humanitarian response.
08th September 2011
NDMA-UN Assessment team visits Flood hit areas of Sindh
Islamabad:
The recent floods have disrupted life & destroyed vital infrastructure in Sindh. The health, education and communication infrastructure has sustained substantial damage. The Badin-Karachi road is submerged making relief provision yet more challenging. A total of 4 Million acres of land including 1.7 Million acres of cropped land has been inundated which has caused damage to 80% of cash crops including Banana, dates, chilli, sugar cane & cotton (equivalent of 2.3 Million bales of cotton destroyed). The fiscal scale of flood incurred damages range into Billions.
In order to assess magnitude & financial impact of the disaster, a high level team visited the flood hit areas of Sindh. The team comprises of the Chairman NDMA, the Head of UN Mission in Pakistan & other technical & professionals. The team held a meeting with PDMA Sindh & discussed rescue & relief activities in Sindh. The assessment report of this team will enable Federal government to decide whether the consequences of this calamity can be managed nationally or the involvement of the UN or Bilateral Donors is necessary.
So far the Federal government, through NDMA, has incurred a financial input of Rs. 1.5 Billion in the rescue & relief efforts in the affected areas, which will soon reach Rs. 7 to 8 Billion.
To curb the spread of malaria in the affected areas, NDMA arranged an anti-malaria spray with the help of chartered helicopters. The NDMA provided 75,000 additional ration packs & 20,000 more water purification tablets to the flood hit areas. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir reiterated the resolve to extend every possible help to the distraught brethren to mitigate their hardships.
07th September 2011
Chairman NDMA briefs Media about the Floods
Islamabad:
The unusual monsoon rains has adversely effected Sindh. In order to apprise representatives of Media about the current situation in the flood affected areas & initiatives of Federal government & the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in providing rescue & relief to the affected population, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir conducted a Press Briefing. The representatives of leading print & electronic media attended the briefing.
Informing representatives of the media about the floods, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that due to the floods, 80% of Banana, Dates, Chilli, Sugar Cane & especially Cotton crop (equivalent of 2.3 Million Bales destroyed), & a total of 690,000 houses have been destroyed. He informed that Badin-Karachi road is also inundated, making relief provision an even more difficult task. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that the physical infrastructure is in shambles at the hands of flood waters.
Giving details of rescue & relief efforts by the Federal government & the NDMA in the flood hit areas, Chairman NDMA said that the erratic weather pattern caused this calamity as 280 mm rain was recorded within 48 hours, while 300 mm rain has been recorded on 7 September, 2011 & there has been a forecast of more rains during the next 5 to 7 days. He informed that NDMA was the first to dispatch tent consignment to the affected areas & so far 43,000 tents have been provided to the flood hit areas, while 18000 are being transported which will reach the affected areas tomorrow. He informed that the Federal government has already purchased the entire tent production of the country & 100,000 more tents will be dispatched to the affected areas in the next ten days. The Chairman NDMA said that so far 600,000 family ration packs have been provided to the flood affectees out of which more than 500,000 have been the contribution of the NDMA. He informed that the Sindh government provided dewatering pumps but as the requirement was more, NDMA got dewatering pumps manufactured from Gujranwala even during the Eid holidays. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that 8.5 Million Aqua tablets, 10 Million Sanitation tablets have been provided to the affected areas, the NDMA is procuring maximum manufactured capacity of Anti-Malaria Guns & 50,000 family ration packs are supplied daily to the flood affected population. The Chairman NDMA said that as soon as the water will recede, NDMA will launch Early Recovery initiatives in the affected areas.
A detailed question & answer session ensued after the briefing. Answering various questions of the journalists, the Chairman NDMA said that he himself, the UN Representative in Pakistan, along with a team of professional & technical people will visit the flood ravaged areas on 8 September to undertake assessment of the damages and their financial impact after which the government will decide to carry out the relief work by itself or involve the UN & Bilateral Donors. The Chairman NDMA assured that every effort will be made to mitigate hardships of the affectees.
05th September 2011
Chairman NDMA briefs Media about the Floods
Islamabad:
The recent erratic monsoon pattern has effected the whole of the country but Sindh is the worst effected. In order to apprise representatives of Media about the current situation in the flood affected areas & initiatives of Federal government & the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in providing rescue & relief to the affected population, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir conducted a Press Briefing. The representatives of leading print & electronic media attended the briefing.
Informing representatives of the media about the floods, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that due to the floods, nearly 4 Million acres of land is inundated, 1.7 Million acres of cropped land has been submerged destroying 80% of Banana, Dates, Chilli, Sugar Cane & especially Cotton crop (equivalent of 2.3 Million Bales destroyed), & a total of 690,000 houses have been destroyed.
Giving details of rescue & relief efforts by the Federal government & the NDMA in the flood hit areas, Chairman NDMA said that the public sector is fully geared up to meet this challenge with the help of available resources. He said that although disaster management is a devolved subject & therefore a provincial responsibility, but the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has directed to help Sindh government & fill the resource gaps. Dr. Zafar Qadir stated that presently there are 1400 relief camps in the affected areas with 4 Million affectee population. He informed that NDMA was the first to dispatch tent consignment to the affected areas & so far 40,000 tents have been provided to the flood hit areas, out of which 12000 were provided by the Sindh government, while 28,000 were supplied by the NDMA. He said that the Federal government has already purchased the entire tent production of the country & 150,000 more tents will be dispatched to the affected areas in the next two weeks. The Chairman NDMA said that so far 600,000 family ration packs have been provided to the flood affectees out of which more than 500,000 have been the contribution of the NDMA while 32000 have been provided by Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal. He informed that the Sindh government provided dewatering pumps but as the requirement was more, NDMA got dewatering pumps manufactured from Gujranwala even during the Eid holidays. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that 8.5 Million Aqua tablets, 10 Million Sanitation tablets have been provided to the affected areas & soon 50,000 to 60,000 family ration packs shall be supplied daily to the flood affected population. The Chairman NDMA said that as soon as the water will recede, NDMA will launch two Technical & Survey teams to ascertain losses & provide relief to the affected populace.
A detailed question & answer session ensued after the briefing. Answering various questions of the journalists, the Chairman NDMA said that so far the Federal government has spent Rs. 1.5 Billion on the rescue & relief efforts & soon this figure will reach Rs. 7 to 8 Billion. He said that the government will soon launch National Appeal for the floods. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that no available technology can predict the erratic weather phenomenon which caused recent flooding. He observed that the Floods 2010 were widespread while Floods 2011 are more concentrated on the left side of the Indus. He said that NDMA has deputed its representative in every effected district to monitor & ensure transparent supply of relief goods to the affected souls.
04th September 2011
NDMA Takes On the Floods
Islamabad:
The recent deluge in the country has had a devastating effect on Sindh where vast areas of land have been inundated. The flood watrers have taken horrendous toll of life & property. So far 88 people have perished, 80% of Banana, Dates, Chilli, Sugar Cane & Cotton crops have been destroyed & nearly 100,000 cattle heads are dead or missing.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is working tirelessly to provide rescue & relief to millions in the affected areas. So far the NDMA has sent 40,000 tents to the affected areas, while 100,000 more will be dispatched in the next 2 weeks (This the maximum tent providing capacity of Pakistan). The NDMA, in coordination with the concerned DDMAs & the PDMA, is providing food to almost 4 Million affected souls, which has a fiscal involvement of Rs. 1.5 Billion. In addition, 25 NDMA teams are working in the affected areas.
The flood water may take 2 to 3 months to dry, after which NDMA will undertake a detailed survey of the flood affected areas.
03rd September 2011
On PMs Instructions NDMA sends Teams to Flood hit areas for Anti-Malaria Campaign
Islamabad:
Incessant rains have caused flooding situation in Sindh. There is a rising apprehension of outbreak of epidemics in the flood hit areas.
In a pre-emptive concern initiative for the well being of the affected population, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has instructed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to launch an anti-malaria campaign in the flood hit areas. In compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister, the NDMA is sending forthwith Assessment Teams to all the affected areas of the recent floods. These teams consist of experts from the UNDP, UNHABITAT, UNESCO, UNOCHA & IOM.
In addition, the NDMA has dispatched another 10,000 tents which have been received by PDMA, Sindh. The NDMA has ordered the Utility Stores Corporation to provide 50,000 more ration packs for the flood affectees. In this context 12 NDMA teams have reached all the flood affected areas.
The NDMA is working incessantly to alleviate the hardships of the flood affectees.
02nd September 2011
NDMA Sends 2nd batch of Response Teams to Sindh
Islamabad:
Unusual monsoon rains have caused flooding incidents in the country, especially Sindh, & caused damage to life & property.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has directed NDMA to send more relief goods to the flood ravaged areas of Sindh. In compliance with the directives of the Prime Minister, the NDMA has despatched 10,000 ration bags for Shaheed Benazirabad, additional 50,000 family ration bags for Sindh, 10,000 family tents & 10 motor boats to the flood hit areas of Sindh. NDMA has already provided 17,740 tents & 283,000 family ration packs to the affected areas of Sindh.
In order to ensure provision of timely rescue & relief services to the flood hit population of Sindh, the NDMA had sent response teams on 23rd August. The continuous monsoon spell has inundated more areas of the province. On special instructions of the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, another batch of NDMA response teams has left for the flood affected areas of Sindh. These teams will take part in relief activities in Tando Allah Yar, Tando Jam, Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Badin Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad & coordinate with PDMA Sindh and all concerned DDMAs and DCOs to speedup the relief efforts. In addition, 10,000 tents have also been sent for the affected districts. Arrangements are being made to procure 50,000 more ration packs from utility stores, while 10,000 ration packs have already been sent. With the help of districts and provincial bodies NDMA is also providing medicines, mosquito nets and clean drinking water to almost 1 Lac people in relief camps.
01st September 2011
NDMA Constantly Providing Relief to Sindh
Islamabad:
Incessant rains in Sindh have inundated a considerable part of Sindh. According to the latest estimates, 2,497,073 acres of land & 2,024,701 people have been affected by the downpour. In wake of the situation, 374 Relief Camps have been established which are sheltering 93,860 affectees.
The NDMA has so far provided a total of 27,740 tents, 283,000 Family Ration Packs, 40,000 Blankets, 30,000 Mosquito Nets & 13 Water Purification Units to the flood affectees of Sindh.
30th August 2011
NDMA is Organizing a DRR Week
Islamabad:
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is organizing a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Week from 8th to 13th October 2011 to coincide with International DRR day of 13th October with the theme of INVEST TODAY FOR A SAFER TOMORROW. The idea behind holding the DRR week is to highlight the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for long term sustainable development in the country and risk of inflicting huge damages if DRR is not given the due priority. The week will show case the work that has been done so far by various stakeholders in the field of DRR and will provide a good platform to all for lessons learned and sharing of best practices in addition to networking with other partners and donors involved in realizing the dream of disaster resilient countries. NDMA will organize workshop, conference, exhibitions, and simulations throughout the week to advocate in favor of investing more on the preparedness to avoid exponential funding on the response. All organizations, public or private, interested in showcasing their activities and be a part of this endeavor should send their suggestions and ideas, to better organize the week to, Mr. Syed Kausar Ali Zaidi, Director DRR 1, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Prime Minister Secretariat Public, Islamabad or log on to NDMA web site http://www.ndma.gov.pk.
29th August 2011
Chairman NDMA briefs Media about the Floods Situation in Sindh and Kohistan
Islamabad:
In order to apprise representatives of the Media about the current flood situation in Sindh and Kohistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) held a briefing; the Chairman NDMA conducted the briefing.
Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir said that according to the decision of the Parliament, disaster management is a devolved subject and a provincial responsibility. He informed that in case of a disaster, the DDMAs and the PDMAs are the first respondents, if their efforts fall short of the scale of disaster then they ask NDMA for help. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that the Flood Contingency Plan was ready and was being followed. He said that so far all the rescue and relief initiatives in the flood ravaged areas of Sindh have been funded by the Federal and respective Provincial governments.
Dr. Zafar Qadir stated that the NDMA has provided 17700 tents, 354,000 Family Ration Packs and One Million Hygiene Sanitation Tablets, 30,000 Mosquito Nets, 10,000Mosquito Repellant Oil, 40,000 Blankets, and 13 Water Purification Units to the flood hit areas of Sindh.
The Chairman NDMA said that the situation in flash flood hit area of Kohistan is also under control. The NDMA has provisioned all the required relief goods for the affectees and is in constant liaison with the district authorities. He informed that Pakistan Army helicopters are also on call to meet challenges of any emergent situation.
Dr. Zafar Qadir highly appreciated the media for conducting responsive reporting in case of disasters.
27th August 2011
NDMA Bids Farewell to UN Special Envoy
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) hosted a farewell dinner in honour of H.E Rauf Engin Soysal, the outgoing UN Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, NDMA Officials and representatives of various humanitarian organizations were present at the occasion.
The Chairman NDMA gave a detailed briefing about the current flood situation in Sindh and the rescue and relief initiatives of NDMA in the flood hit areas. Dr. Zafar Qadir, while speaking at the event, lauded the services of the UN Special Envoy in the interest of Pakistan.
In his address, H.E Rauf Engin Soysal termed his stay in Pakistan as very pleasant and memorable. He said that Pakistan was just like a second home for him.
25th, 26th and 27th August 2011
NDMA dispatch Helicopters & Relief for Flood Hit Kohistan
Islamabad:
In wake of the recent flash floods in Kohistan, which have, so far, caused 38 confirmed deaths and 24 people missing, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) immediately launched Kohistan Operation to provide timely rescue & relief services to the calamity hit people of the area.
This humanitarian initiative by NDMA mainly consisted of dispatch of one Acquiral helicopter for search & rescue and one MI-17 for relief transportation on 25 August, 2011, while one Acquiral & three MI-17 on 26 August, 2011. Owing to the treacherous terrain of the area, these helicopters are proving extremely beneficial for the provision of rescue and relief services to the distraught population of the affected area.
23th August 2011
NDMA Organized a Two Days Workshop on ‘Disaster Reporting’
Islamabad:
In the wake of any disaster, timely and credible information through Disaster Reporting by print and electronic media plays pivotal role for enabling better preparedness and timely response. In this context, to enhance the reporting capacities of the journalists by imparting essential disaster reporting skills and techniques, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the One UN DRM Programme organized a Two day training workshop on ‘Disaster Reporting’ on 23rd and 24th August,2011. Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, the Country Director UNDP, Pakistan was the chief guest and Member DRR, NDMA Mr. Ahmed Kamal attended the workshop. The prominent media personalities of Islamabad attended the event.
The Member DRR, NDMA, Mr. Ahmed Kamal presented a comprehensive and informative paper on ‘Disaster Management System in Pakistan’. The workshop methodology essentially revolved around the interactive learning principle which included group work / discussions, individual exercises, video clips, case studies and power point presentations.
The participants of the workshop made various recommendations for enabling improved Disaster Reporting & identified areas which needed improvement which included, improvement of Administrative Coordination between Media & concerned government departments, provide Safety to the journalists, assign a beat reporter for Disaster issues, the Gap between NDMA and media should be bridged , highlight disaster preparedness by reporting on shortage of medicines, supply chains, vulnerabilities faced by women and children, strengthen civil society , youth & students and encourage community mobilization.
At the end of the workshop, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka and Mr. Ahmed Kamal distributed certificates among the participants.
23th August 2011
NDMA deploy Teams in Flood Affected Areas of Sindh
Islamabad:
Monsoon rains that have resulted in flooding incidents in the country especially in Sindh have caused damages both to the public as well as to the private property besides loss of precious human lives and livestock.
A considerable portion of population of seven districts of Sindh has been affected predominantly in Badin district. Leading from front the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is carrying out rescue and relief activities in the disaster hit areas of Sindh in coordination with Sindh Disaster Managemnet Authority and all Disaster Management authorities of the affected districts. At the special instructions of Dr. Zafar Qadir, Chairman Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), response teams of NDMA have been dispatched to the rain & flood affected areas of Sindh to ensure and facilitate in the timely provision of relief to the flood affected population. The NDMA response teams stationed at Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Tando Muhammad Khan are coordinating with PDMA Sindh and all concerned DDMAs and DCOs to speedup the relief efforts. These teams shall remain in these rain/flood hit areas till the normalization of situation.
Besides the above, the Logistics Team of NDMA is already in Sindh since the inception of present monsoon rain disaster and is monitoring and coordinating relief activities, including dispatch of relief goods to the affected areas based on the ground requirements.
23th August 2011
NDMA to Organize A 2-Day Training Workshop On Disaster Reporting
Islamabad:
NDMA in collaboration with UNDP under the One UN-DRM Joint Programme will be organizing a 2-Day training workshop on “DISASTER REPORTING” on 23rd and 24th August 2011. The workshop will be inaugurated by Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Member DRR and Spokesperson NDMA. The participants of the workshop will include journalists from government as well as private print and electronic agencies to discuss role and responsibilities of Media, especially in the context of dissemination of disaster warnings. The main objective of the training workshop is to enhance the reporting capacities of the journalists by imparting essential disaster reporting skills and techniques among electronic and print media journalists based in Islamabad.
22th August 2011
Chairman NDMA accompany Speaker National Assembly during visit to flood hit areas of Badin
Islamabad:
In order to ensure accelerated provision of rescue and relief services to the flood affectees of Sindh, the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is currently visitingthe flood hit areas of Sindh. As a part of the visit, the Chairman NDMA also accompanied the Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, to personally gauge the scale of damage and rescue & relief requirements in district Badin.
The Speaker National Assembly, during the visit of district Badin apprised that nearly three months were required to bring the situation to normalcy in the district. She urged the philanthropists & the international humanitarian community to extend help in this hour of need.
During the visit, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir informed that 9 Lacs water purification tablets, 17,700 tents have been dispatched to the flood affected areas of Sindh and 27000 family ration packs have also been distributed among the flood affectees of districts Badin, Mirpur Khas, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Tharparker (Mithi), Umar Kot and Hyderabad. He also informed that NDMA is introducing a new and revolutionary concept of telemedicine with the mission to provide swift medical treatment to disaster hit people on modern lines to save precious lives on real time basis. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that so far the rescue and relief initiative was funded entirely by the Federal and the Sindh governments. He added that 31 lives were lost due to the recent floods, besides around 60 % of cotton crop was damaged in the flood hit areas, while the Sugar cane crop was not affected because the height of the sugar cane is three feet above the water level, he added.
21st August 2011
NDMA Launches 24 Hour Telemedicine Helpline For Rain Affected People In Badin District-Sindh
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) launched a Help Line for the flood affected population of Badin district, Sindh. The Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza inaugurated the NDMA Help Line. This unique initiative will provide 24 hour Toll Free telephone service via 0800 111 21 to consult doctors sitting at NDMA Helpline Center in Karachi which is manned by senior Medical Officers round the clock.
NDMA is shortly initiating a state of the art Telemedicine based Telecare Center in which all bio medical sensors and live video links will be established at District Hospital Badin, where all visiting patients will be looked and examined by doctors from Karachi NDMA’s Helpline Center.
18th August 2011
U.S. provided Flash Flood Guidance System to Pakistan
Islamabad:
U.S. has provided a Flash Flood Guidance System to Pakistan. The Flash Flood Guidance System for Pakistan has been developed by Hydrologic Research Center (HRC), USA through joint collaboration among the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), U.S. National Weather Service, USAID, HRC, USA and PMD. The development of Flash Flood Guidance System for Pakistan was conceived during WMO Expert Mission that visited Pakistan in November, 2010 in wake of 2010 Super Floods.
A 3-day training workshop for the FFGS software/hardware design, functionality and maintenance requirements was held at PMD Headquarters, Islamabad. The training workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Arif Mahmood, Director General PMD and Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Member (DRR), NDMA on 16th August, 2011. The closing ceremony held on 18th August, 2011 was chaired by Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, Advisor (Met. & Climate Affairs) to the Ministry of Defence. In his address, Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry offered sincere gratitude to HRC, USA, USAID and WMO for their efforts in developing the initial version of Flash Flood Guidance System for Pakistan. He further envisaged that the implementation of Flash Flood Guidance System in Pakistan will help in improving protection of life and property against flash floods.
The main objective of the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) is to provide near real-time guidance products pertaining to the imminence of potential small-scale flash flooding throughout Pakistan.Though the initial version of Flash Flood Guidance System has been implemented at Met. Office, Islamabad, the validation and calibration of the System will continue for the next 2-3 years through joint efforts and collaboration of the scientists of PMD and HRC in order to improve the Flash Flood Guidance System utilization and efficiency.
12th August 2011
Chairman NDMA oversees Relief & Rescue Operation in Sindh
Islamabad:
The devastating spell of heavy rains & thunderstorms have adversely affected a large portion of sindh province. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is constantly working in coordination with the PDMAs & DDMAs to provide relief to the affected populace. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, along with a team of NDMA officials, has already reached the flood affected areas of Sindh to oversee the relief & rescue operation.
The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, during his visit to the affected areas of district Badin, had a meeting with the Sindh Provincial Senior Minister Mr Zulfiqar Mirza and Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah, discussed the current flood situation & the on going relief & rescue operation in the area. During his visit, the Chairman NDMA said that the situation is under control and all the affected population has been relocated to safer places. Dr. Zafar Qadir informed that three districts of Sindh, namely Mir Pur Khas, Mohammad Khan & Badin are the worst hit & NDMA has already transported dewatering pumps in the area & has released 2700 tents to PDMA Sindh for further distribution in the affected areas. Furthermore, NDMA has distributed 6500 Family Ration Packs among the flood affectees, out of which 2000 in Badin, 1000 in Tando Muhammad Khan, 1000 in Hyderabad, 500 in Tando Allah Yar & 2000 in Mirpur Khas, he added. The Chairman NDMA informed that Pakistan Army has provided relief boats in the affected areas of Tando Muhammad Khan, while Pakistan Navy has provisioned boats to the affected areas of Badin.
Chairman also instructed for moving another 10,000 tents to Karachi immediately and provide another 10,000 family ration packs in the area. Each ration pack contains ration for a family of 5-7 people for a period of 30 days. The NDMA is resolved to provide relief to the distraught flood affectees till the sufferings of the affectees are alleviated.
10th August 2011
A 5.7 Quake jolts Balochistan
Islamabad:
An earthquake measuring 5.7 on Richter scale was felt in Kharan, Balochistan at 0553 hours. The epicentre of the earthquake was near Kharan with a depth of 45 km. Immediately following the news of earthquake, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) immediately coordinated with the concerned authorities to ascertain whether any damage / loss occurred due to the earthquake.
The DCO Kharan confirmed that no losses / damages were so far observed / reported. NDMA is maintaining a close liaison with the respective authorities in this regard.
10th August 2011
Director PMD briefs NDMA Officials
Islamabad:
The Director of National Weather Forecasting Center, PMD, Dr. Muhammad Hanif briefed officials of National Disaster management Authority (NDMA) and gave a presentation on Climate of Pakistan, Monsoon Weather Systems, their predictions, Challenges, Lessons Learned and Floods 2010. The meeting was attended by Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir.
Dr. Muhammad Hanif informed that Pakistan is historically prone to extreme weather events and more than 70% of these events are associated with Monsoon season. He informed that the probability of heavy rainfall leading to Flash Floods/Floods would be higher in western rivers catchment areas rather than the eastern rivers. Dr. Hanif said that Tibetan High shift to North West enhanced Monsoon rainfall over North Western Pakistan. Talking about Floods 2010, he said that the displacement of Sub-Tropical Highs due to current ENSO Cycle (IL Nino- La-Nina Episode) caused extreme rainfall over the North West Pakistan during Monsoon season 2010. He also apprised the session about the Weather Forecasting System of Pakistan Meteorological Department.
4th August 2011
Chairman NDMA Visit to Gilgit Baltistan
Islamabad:
The NDMA delegation led by Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman NDMA made a courtesy call to Honorable Governor GB on August 4th 2011. DG Rescue 1122 , Punjab besides representatives UNDP , UNWOMEN and Members of NDMA were also present there. Honorable Governor welcomed all members of delegation and apprised about various issues converging GB with specific reference to natural disasters. He spoke at length about the Attabad landslide incidence and its consequences after wards. He also talked in detail about Talis landslide issue and the response generate there in to evacuate the affected population and to provide their all necessary food and non-food items. He also highlighted the urgency of a addressing some of the natural streams through channelization to not only tame their waters but also utilize it for local drinking and water supply purpose.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman NDMA while thanking the Governor apprised him about the purpose of NDMA’s delegation. He spoke at length towards effective preparedness for natural disasters particularly floods. In this context the ongoing efforts of NDMA to take along the contingency planning initiatives 2011 Monsoon with bottom up approach was also discussed.
The Chairman assured the Governor of full support in preparedness and fight against natural disasters through collective capacity building and institutional strengthening on a longer term basis.
4th August 2011
8th Meeting of the National Working Group Meeting on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority initiated activities to incorporate Disaster Risk Reduction into development process in consultation with the Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments and concerned specialized agencies. In Earthquake 2005 and Flood 2010, one of the main causes of loss of lives and property was damage and destruction of physical infrastructure. It became evident that development practices pursued were not inline with the concept of disaster risk reduction. To address the underlying causes of destruction of physical and social infrastructure, ‘Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction DRR into Development Process’ was conceived as one of the priority initiative in the National Disaster Risk Management Framework of Pakistan 2007 which is being implemented under One United Nations Disaster Risk Management Joint Programme.
In order to review the progress on “Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development Process” initiative of NDMA, 8th Meeting of National Working Group on Mainstreaming DRR was held on 04 August 2011 under the chairmanship of Dr. Zafar Qadir, Chairman NDMA. The meeting reviewed the progress and identified the challenges in Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives in the planning of future development programmes and projects to ensure disaster resilient and sustainable socio-economic development.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of key Ministries, International Donors, Professionals Bodies and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities. The meeting reviewed and discussed the progress on spreading out of DRR initiatives in Provinces / Districts, and the way forward for DRR under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The Chairman emphasized on NDMA’s policy of reaching out to provinces, down to district and local levels for capacity building on disaster risk management. The major conclusion of the meeting includes:
- NDMA assured Ministry of Water and Power for its full support for Flood Management Project.
- NDMA shall organize and support capacity building at all tiers of government and society particularly the most vulnerable segments through NIDM;
- NDMA encourage all PDMAs to accord high priority to local solution and indigenous knowledge through R&D activities;
- NDMA gives high priority to National Risk Mapping, and arrangements are being made to start this important activity as soon as possible;
- DRM plans need to be developed and revised where already available on multi-hazard approaches;
- Ministries / Provinces and other organization involved for DRR Mainstreaming needs to develop a high-tech progress monitoring mechanism;
30th July 2011
NDMA provides relief to GLOF victims in Ghanche
Ganche:
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in village Talis, district Ghanche in Gilgit Baltistan disrupted life in the area by damaging 120 houses and cropped area.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) immediately instructed concerned authorities to provide all necessary relief and rescue services to the affectees. In addition, NDMA has provided all necessary relief items to the Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) for further distribution amongst the affectees. The district administration also started relief and rescue activities in the area.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is maintaining a close liaison with its field tentacles and Gilgit Baltistan Administration for the provision of any additional relief/assistance required for the affectees.
28th July 2011
NDMA & the UN hold Press Conference to mark One Year of PAKISTAN FLOODS 2010
Islamabad:
To mark the completion of one year of the historic floods 2010 in Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) joined the UN and the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) in arranging a Press Conference and launching of a publication, ‘Pakistan Floods-One Year On’. The Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan, H.E Rauf Engin Soysal, Acting Resident Coordinator & Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mengesha Kebede and PHF Chairperson, Mr. Jack Byrne were among the luminaries who were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir appreciated the humanitarian assistance of the UN in the hardest times of our national life. He said that one year is not a long time to rebuild lives but if we look at our performance, we have done well. Dr. Zafar Qadir appreciated the contributions of the UN in the Contingency Plan and termed it a good example of cooperation. He said that 99% of the displaced floods affectees have been repatriated, 97% of the affectees have been given Watan Cards, while 57% of Schools & a considerable part of community infrastructure have been rehabilitated. Responding to a news item about NDMA’s level of preparedness in case of floods, Dr. Zafar said that all stake holders are on board even in case of 10% more rainfall during this monsoon season, we will be able to manage the situation from our own resources. It was due to a collective effort that we are moving into a new year of commitment and resilience, he added.
Addressing the gathering the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Assistance to Pakistan, H.E Rauf Engin Soysal, highly appreciated the resilience, triumph and courage of the people of Pakistan in the face of this unprecedented calamity.
The Acting Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mengesha Kebede, saluted the courage of Pakistani nation and civil society in wake of Floods 2010. He said that there is a funding gap of US$ 600 Million in response to the largest appeal by the UN and all efforts are being made to bridge this gap.
Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) Chairperson, Mr. Jack Byrne expressed the resolve to stay in Pakistan & continue its humanitarian initiatives in collaboration with all the humanitarian actors.
A detailed interactive question/answer session ensued at the end of the Press Conference.
30th June 2011
NDMA and JICA hold Consultative Workshop for the Preparation of NDMP
Islamabad:
In complete consonance with its mandate to formulate effective mitigation and preparedness policies for reducing the consequent losses of natural disasters, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has launched a project for the preparation of National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). In order to discuss and finalize the draft National Disaster Management Plan and to fine tune the roles and responsibilities of relevant stake holders identified in the plan, NDMA organized a consultative workshop. The Chiarman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir chaired the session, while H.E Rauf Engin Soysel, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General was the guest of honor. The chief representative of JICA Mr. Takatoshi Nishikita and Hazrat Mir, Chief Meteorologist of PMD were also among the luminaries who attended the workshop.
In his welcome address, the Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir thanked the government of Japan and JICA for their support and cooperation. He said that the plan envisages to prepare strategies to mitigate losses in case of disasters and to identify the roles and responsibilities of all the key stake holders. Dr. Zafar Qadir stated that Pakistan has learned a great deal from the hard times. The Chairman NDMA said that we are primarily focused on having a bottom up approach and our main focus is the community, the ultimate sufferers and beneficiaries of this plan. He informed the session that NDMA has successfully convinced the Planning Commission for mainstreaming DRR in all PC formats. Dr. Zafar Qadir expressed hope that this workshop would be instrumental in devising a better disaster management plan for the country.
H.E Rauf Engin Soysal, in his address, admired the initiative of Government of Pakistan for engaging in the formulation of such important plan under the leadership of NDMA. He said that UN is ready to compliment Pakistan’s efforts in the field of DRM.
The chief representative of JICA, Mr. Takatoshi Nishikita, while speaking to the session, appreciated the support of NDMA for the formulation of NDMP. He said that Japan is also a disaster prone country and we have shared our experiences of mitigation and DRM with Pakistan and Japan will continue to extend its support to Pakistan in the field of DRM.
28th June 2011
Chairman NDMA Visit to Multan
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr Zafar Qadir paid a visit to Multatn to coordinate and asses the level of preparedness and response of NDMA provincial disaster management tentacles. During his visit he participated in a meeting/ workshop organized by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Punjab with the support/assistance of UNDP and WOP. The session was attended by DCOs of 10 districts of southern Punjab including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali and Khushab.
Addressing the session, Chairman NDMA said that the government is fully aware of the challenge that this monsoon season might pose and in this contact the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani held extensive meeting with the Chairman NDMA and the Director General of all the provincial and State Disaster Management Authorities. In these meetings the Prime Minister was apprised of the current status of our flood prevention infrastructure and the overall strategy to mitigate consequent losses in case of floods. Dr Zafar Qadir stated that NDMA has adopted a bottoms up approach in its strategy against the floods.
All the DCOs gave presentations about their levels of preparedness in case of floods.
23rd June 2011
Chairman NDMA’s interview to the Reuters on rehabilitation efforts for the flood affectees and the preparedness on the flood warning
Islamabad:
Dr. Zafar Qadir, the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in an interview to Ms. Myra Macdonalds, a journalist from the renowned News Agency Reuters, briefed the latter on the rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Pakistan and repatriation status of the flood affectees of 2010. He stated that the situation in the affected areas is normal as the majority of the affectees have returned to their homes. He briefed Ms. Macdonalds on NDMA‘s pre-monsoon contingency plan being finalized in coordination with all its partners in order to ensure timely response in any upcoming emergency situation.
Ms. Myra Macdonalds posed a number of questions about the floods and humanitarian efforts of the Government of Pakistan and lauded the role of NDMA in providing timely relief to the flood affectees of 2010.
19th June 2011
Chairman NDMA visited Lahore
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir visited Lahore to strengthen linkages with the provincial administration, sensitize them about the DRR and DRM initiatives by NDMA and chalk out effective coordination among all the provincial partners including Government departments and line agencies. The main objective of the three day visit was to assess the level of preparedness and response capabilities of the provincial disaster-centric mechanism in anticipation of the up-coming monsoon season.
In the first leg of his visit, the Chairman NDMA called upon the Governor of Punjab and apprised him about the Mandate of the organization, its role and the key achievements during the last four years. The Chairman also informed the governor about Monsoon Contingency Planning. The Governor while appreciating the efforts of the Authority, emphasized on the need for better short term and long term planning not only to handle this recurring hazard but to identify ways for converting this hazard into an opportunity through utilization of the flood waters for agricultural purposes especially in the water scarce areas. He further suggested that NDMA may look into the possibility of energy generation through temporary storage of flood water at appropriate sites.
Dr. Zafar Qadir also met Nasir Mahmood Khosa, Chief Secretary Punjab & briefed him on the coordinating and facilitation role of the NDMA especially in the context of the Monsoon preparedness. He emphasized the lead role of the provinces in Disaster Management and assured holistic support of NDMA to the provinces for building & strengthening DRM capacities at the provincial and district levels. The Chief Secretary appreciated the proactive approach of the Chairman for reaching out to the provinces and building linkages with the implementing agencies at the grass root level.
Dr. Zafar Qadir had a meeting with Shakeel Durrani, Chairman WAPDA. Shakeel Durrani appreciated the visit by the NDMA delegation as very helpful in creating linkages with the technical and administrative organizations for disaster management. He also informed that the restoration of the damaged infrastructure under the domain of WAPDA has already been completed and SOPs of the three water reservoirs i.e. Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma are already in place and the level of preparedness is being continuously monitored. He said that WAPDA is also trying to establish 22 monitoring stations in Gilgit-Baltistan for monitoring of the glaciers melt so that accurate estimates of the snow fall and available water can be obtained with greater degree of confidence.
During a meeting with Senior Member Board of Revenue, Akhlaq Ahmad Tarrar informed the NDMA delegation that PDMA has already started Disaster Response Force (which is composed of some components of 1122) and Punjab government has integrated Civil Defense into this force. He said that 36 District and 15 departmental Monsoon contingency plans have already been finalized. During the visit, PDMA requested for assistance in capacity building in the context of DRM.
The respective secretaries of Revenue, finance, food, Agriculture and Irrigation gave brief presentation about the lessons learned from the 2010 floods and the consequent remedial measures initiated for strengthening the protection infrastructure and sector specific contingency planning already done. NDMA delegation was also informed about the wheat stock position, it’s pre-positioning at vulnerable districts, de-worming and vaccinations of livestock as well as de-silting of the irrigation system.
The Technical team of the irrigation department briefed the NDMA delegation about the O&M of the irrigation infrastructure and the reconnaissance of the protection structures, especially at the eastern river. The issues of Akbar band and breaching sections of Shahdara and Wazirabad were also discussed. The irrigation department informed that cleaning of the irrigation system and of 21000 hectares of Taunsa barrage has been completed. They suggested for establishing a mechanism through which a federal agency takes over the control of River works at Provincial boundaries.
Chairman NDMA decided to conduct a special One day Monsoon preparedness workshop for the DCOs of Multan, DG Khan Divisions & district Rahim Yar Khan in the last week of June.
This three day visit was the first of a series of visits to achieve effective coordination among all the provincial stake holders and government departments to enable a timely response in case of a disaster.
15th June 2011
NDMA Organized Pre-Monsoon Coordination Meeting
Islamabad:
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged the 5th pre-monsoon coordination & preparatory meeting as a pre-emptive initiative to update contingency plan through consultative process with special emphasis on assessment of preparedness, response and recovery capabilities of all the stake holders, government agencies and the line departments. Dr. Zafar Qadir, the Chairman NDMA, chaired the meeting, while heads of government agencies/line departments, representatives of the Armed Forces & UN agencies attended the meeting.
In his welcome address, Dr. Zafar Qadir, Chairman NDMA, said that the monsoon triggered floods have become an annually recurring phenomenon and we should achieve highest level of preparedness in order to mitigate the consequent losses. He said that although global warming and the climate change have aggravated the hydro-meteorological hazard but NDMA is ready to take on any challenge. He said that in wake of last year’s historic floods, NDMA responded well with the help of international humanitarian fraternity and the philanthropic segment of our society which achieved wide spread acclaim. The Chairman said that the NDMA has prepared the contingency plan in case of floods and will share it with its partners. Dr. Zafar Qadir said that the purpose of this meeting is to ascertain the state of preparedness of concerned federal and provincial stakeholders and accordingly to chalk out a coordinated response mechanism for enforcement in case of any impending disaster. He urged all the stakeholders to identify gaps and the means to plug them.
All the stakeholders including government agencies, line departments, representatives of the Armed Forces and the UN apprised the session about the level of preparedness to avoid losses in the aftermath of a disaster. The representatives of all the stakeholders observed that the flood prevention infrastructure damaged due to last year’s floods is being repaired on war footings. The Chairman, NDMA, while assuring all the stakeholders, NDMA’s complete presence in the disaster management activity in the special context of 2011 monsoon season and in line with its role envisaged in the National Disaster Management Act, urged upon all concerned for more pro-active, well net and enhanced preparedness to ensure near real time response on ground.
13th June 2011
NDMA Organizes Pre Monsoon Coordination Meeting
Islamabad:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the focal agency at the federal level for coordination, implementation of the complete cycle of disaster management ranging from prevention, mitigation, preparedness, rescue, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation. In this backdrop and on the basis of lessons learned from 2010 devastating floods, the NDMA has undertaken a comprehensive Flood Disaster Management Strategy including conduct of field visits for evaluating the progress on the repair and maintenance of the flood protection infrastructure as well as to ascertain the progress on the damaged infrastructure.
Besides, the NDMA is also in the process of updating Monsoon Contingency Plan through elaborated consultative process. The draft of which would be shared with all stakeholders during the 5th Pre-Monsoon Coordination Meeting planned for 15th June, 2011.
In order to sensitize the Provincial Departments including Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, Irrigation and Powers Departments of the Provinces, the NDMA have issued/suggested guidelines as well as a list of actions required to be completed before the on set of the forthcoming Monsoon Season. The provinces have been requested to take extra precautionary measures for ensuring quality of maintenance work underway in different parts of the country and they were also requested to create monitoring and vigilance mechanism on 24/7 basis during the flood season in order to timely identify any untoward situation and taking necessary remedial actions before the hand.
The Provinces have also been requested to finalize their respective Flood Fighting Plans at Provincial and District Levels in coordination with respective armed forces formations so that all resources can be mobilized at shortest possible notice in case of any disaster situation.
The NDMA is also regularly following up with Provinces and Regional Disaster Management Authorities in AJ&K, GB and FATA and keeping the humanitarian community updated about the actions being taken for flood fighting arrangements during the forthcoming monsoon season.
8th June 2011
Canadian High Commissioner calls on the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir held a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Ros Hynes.
The Canadian High Commissioner congratulated Chairman NDMA on the assumption the office of the Chairman NDMA. Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ross Hynes remarked that NDMA is the lead disaster management body in Pakistan and the government of Canada is keen to maintain a productive liaison with the government of Pakistan to extend support on disaster management. The need to to acquire high level of preparedness in wake of the upcoming monsoon season was stressed by the meeting. In this regard, the High Commissioner stated that the Canadian government is ready to extend every possible support to NDMA in all humanitarian programmes.
Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir appreciated the valuable humanitarian assistance provided by the Canadian Government. . He also shared with him the pr-monsoon preparatory measures being taken by the NDMA to deal with any emergent situation arising from the monsoon. He added that the prevention of epidemic outbreaks will be the focus of such measures. The meeting ended with the mutual assurances for future cooperation between the two countries on management of disasters for a safer Pakistan.
7th June 2011
WHO Representative calls on the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir met Dr. Guido Sabatinelli World Health Organization Representative who was accompanied with Dr. George Martinez, the Chief of Emergency.
Dr. Guido Sabatinelli congratulated the new Chairman NDMA on the assumption of his responsibilities. The discussion was focused on health interventions to prevent communicable diseases in the flood hit areas, need for coordination with the provincial governments, ensuring effective preparedness in the upcoming monsoon season, provision of Cholera & Trauma kits. The WHO representative stated that his organization looks forward to support NDMA in case of a disaster. He stressed the need for focused interventions for the prevention of Cholera in the flood affected areas. Dr. George Martinez, the Chief of Emergency said that WHO would make all efforts to cater to the needs of provincial governments to link them with the donors. The WHO Representative assured the Chairman NDMA of continued support in all humanitarian initiatives.
Dr. Zafar Qadir the Chairman NDMA, emphasized that although recovery from the devastation of recent floods was difficult the support and cooperation of the international humanitarian fraternity helped Pakistan succeeded to handle the situation in a short time. The Chairman stated that NDMA will share the relevant information with its partners to synchronize all the humanitarian efforts. He stressed the need for dissemination of awareness in the general public for quick response in the wake of disasters. The Chairman NDMA appreciated the support of WHO in all the humanitarian initiatives.
7th June 2011
ICRC Representative calls on the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Dr. Zafar Qadir met Mr. Andre Paquet, Deputy Head of Delegation of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Mr. Andre Paquet extended felicitations to the Chairman NDMA on assumption of his responsibilities. He apprised the Chairman NDMA of the efforts of ICRC for helping the victims of disasters, gun wound and violence. He stated that ICRC is working for provision of food and household items to the victims of disasters. He added that ICRC was also operating a 100 bedded hospital at Peshawar to serve the victims of violence
Dr. Zafar Qadir, the Chairman NDMA appreciated the continuous humanitarian assistance by ICRC and assured Mr. Andre Paquet, Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC of all the support by NDMA in the humanitarian rescue and relief efforts of ICRC in the disasters.
6th June 2011
Head of UN OCHA calls on the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Zafar Qadir met Manuel Bessler, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs during a call on visit of the latter to his office.
The Chairman discussed with the Head of UN OCHA various measures to address preparedness, contingency planning, as well as implementation; monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian activities in the country. Mr. Manuel Bessler assured Chairman NDMA of the continued support of the UN in all the humanitarian initiatives.
Dr. Zafar Qadir, the Chairman NDMA observed that the Authority has come a long way in terms of effective preparedness and mitigation to minimize the response time to any disaster. He informed that NDMA has arranged a pre-monsoon meeting on June 15, 2011 to mobilize all the stake holders as a pre-emptive measure in case of floods. He acknowledged and appreciated the continuous support by the UN OCHA to NDMA in all undertakings.
3rd June 2011
Training cum Exposure visit to Bangkok Thailand on DRM
Thailand:
In order to minimize the impacts of disasters, NDMA plans to sensitize the local level authorities for better Disaster Risk Management (DRM) planning and execution. In order to strengthen the District Disaster Management Authorities, training cum study visit to Bangkok, Thailand was arranged during 30th May to 3rd June 2011 in collaboration with Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) and the World Food Programme (WFP). for the most vulnerable districts to show them successful projects and case studies. The ADPC is a centre of excellence working in DRM in the Asian and Pacific countries since last 25 years.
The delegation constituted two representatives (District Coordination Officers’s) from the highly vulnerable districts; Gawadar and Charsadda besides the representatives from NDMA and WFP;
- Ms Anjum Asad Amin, Member (Support & Services) Team Leader
- Mr. Ajmal Khan, DCO, Charsadda.
- Mr. Mohammad Hashim, DCO, Gawadar
- Syed Sibt-e-Abbas Zaidi, Director (DRR-II), NDMA.
- Mr. Irfan Maqbool, DRM Officer, WFP.
The visit included very interactive meetings with the government institutions and the international agencies and a full day field visit to a project site ‘One Tambon One Search’ at Thoongyang , subdistrict, Uttaradit Province, Northern Thailand. Lessons learnt from the study visit will be useful to deal with the multi-hazards being faced by Pakistan (Cyclone, Storm Surges, and Flooding).
3rd June 2011
UN Special Envoy calls on the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir met Rauf Engin Soysal, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan.
The Chairman discussed disaster preparedness and related issues in the overall spectrum of disaster management in the country. Mr. Rauf Engin Soysal assured Chairman National Disaster Management Authority of the continued support of the UN in all the humanitarian initiatives of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Qadir appreciated the continuous cooperation and support of UNDP being extended to NDMA in all its undertakings for future prosperity and safety of Pakistan.
2nd June 2011
UN Resident Coordinator calls upon the Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Zafar Qadir met the UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Timo Pakkala.
The Chairman discussed various issues including the early recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives in the flood hit areas. The Resident Coordinator assured the Chairman NDMA of continued support of UN in all the humanitarian initiatives of NDMA.
Chairman NDMA, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir appreciated the continuous cooperation and support of UNDP to NDMA in all its endeavours to manage the disasters.
21st May 2011
NDMA & JICA Discuss NDMP
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 21 May: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and JICA jointly arranged a meeting to discuss and finalize the second draft of National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). The Member (DRR) NDMA, Mr. Ahmed Kamal chaired the meeting. The representatives of JICA, Federal Flood Commission, Pakistan Meteorological Department, PDMA and NDMA officials also attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed in detail the second draft of NDMP in order to finalize this document. NDMP will be an official document of disaster management at federal level for the implementation of various projects under the approval of NDMC. The time frame of the plan is considered to be ten years from 2012 to 2022. The objective of the plan is to ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for effective implementation. The plan envisions achieving sustainable social, economic & environmental development in Pakistan through reducing disaster risks & vulnerabilities, particularly those of the poor & marginalized groups & to enhance the country’s ability to manage natural disasters using a comprehensive national approach. Human Resource Development is a vital component of this Plan to build a culture of safety & resilience at all tiers of Federal, Provincial and District level by imparting knowledge innovation and education in the filed of DRM through National Institute of Disaster Management. The document also has National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Plan for effectively responding to major disaster. It has a strong focus on the Implementation of Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) by involving the local community and governments at the lowest tier of governance.
In the end Japanese Experts gave a detailed presentation about the plan. The Government of Japan, through JICA, is providing technical assistance of US$3.4 million with NDMA’s in kind share of Rs.15 million (US$ 0.2 m) for implementation of the aforesaid project.
19th May 2011
Thai Donation of 20,000 tons of Rice Reached Karachi
Islamabad:
The Government of Royal Kingdom of Thailand has extended a donation of 20,000 Metric Tons of rice for flood affectees in Pakistan. The donated rice contained in 400,000 bags arrived in Pakistan by ship named “M.V Golden Falcon” on 19th May 2011. A representative of NDMA (Deputy Logistics Officer) is on post at Karachi Port since 16th May, 2011 to handle and transport the consignment for distribution to flood affected areas in coordination with respective Provincial Disaster Management Authorities. The rice has been allocated to the Provinces as per their requirement.
18th May 2011
Japanese Ambassador visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad 18 May: H.E Hiroshi Oe, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, visited National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Prime Minister’s Secretariat and had a meeting with Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations NDMA.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Hiroshi Oe thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for extending valuable assistance in wake of the devastating tsunami. He remarked that Japan and Pakistan are disaster prone countries and should closely cooperate to manage such disasters. Talking about the recent tsunami, H.E Hiroshi Oe stated that the means of communication have been restored whereas the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities are underway. He mentioned that due to the requirement of huge amounts of financial inputs, normalization will take time. On behalf of government of Japan, he lauded the unflinching commitment of NDMA for timely provision of relief and rescue services to the affectees of devastating tsunami. He also expressed hope that NDMA will effectively manage the approaching monsoon season in Pakistan.
Apprising the dignitary about the recent situation in the flood hit areas, Brig Sajid Naeem said that now early recovery activities are in progress with a particular focus on the revival of agriculture and provision of transitional shelters to the affectees. He stated that despite all odds there has been a bumper wheat crop. Brig sajid also informed the distinguished guest that NDMA is fully prepared to tackle the upcoming monsoon.
14th May 2011
Delegation of National Defense University, Washington D.C. Visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 14 May:An eleven member delegation of National Defense University, Washington D.C. headed by Mr. Dan Mozena, faculty member of NDU, visited National Disaster management Authority (NDMA), Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations NDMA, briefed the delegation about various efforts of NDMA including the Early Recovery initiative in the flood hit areas.
Apprising the dignitaries about the recent floods, Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations NDMA, said that NDMA is the apex national disaster management body mandated to deal with complete spectrum of disaster management. He also elaborated upon the institutional framework of NDMA. The Member Operations highlighted that the situation in the flood affected areas has normalized due to concerted efforts of NDMA & all other stakeholders as repatriation of flood affected population is nearly complete, early recovery activities are in progress, infrastructure repairs are underway & the affectees have been disbursed billions through 
Watan Cards to cater for their financial needs. The Member Operations NDMA highly appreciated the assistance of international humanitarian fraternity in general and that of the United States in particular in this hour of need & expressed the hope that this cooperation will continue until the holistic rehabilitation of flood hit areas.
Mr. Dan Mozena, leader of the delegation, appreciated the efforts of NDMA in post flood relief and recovery operations for alleviating sufferings of flood affectees.
10th May 2011
Member Operations NDMA meets Thai Ambassador
Islamabad:
Islamabad 10 May: The Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan, H.E. Marut Jitpatima held a meeting with Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Prime Minister Secretariat.
H.E. Marut Jitpatima informed that the Government of Thailand, with the support of private sector & WFP, sent a humanitarian shipment of 20,000 metric tons of rice, valued at US$ 40 Million, for the flood affectees. H.E Marut jitpatima, lauded NDMA regarding timely provision of relief and rescue activities to the multitude of populace amidst unprecedented floods in the history of the nation. He assured Member Operations of the continued support to NDMA in all humanitarian initiatives.
Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations NDMA, thanked the Government and people of Thailand for showing compassion & extending assistance to the flood affectees and expressed that this support will continue till rehabilitation of flood victims. He said,” NDMA is committed to mitigate the sufferings of flood affectees and this approach will continue till the complete recovery of affected masses”.
27th April 2011
The European Parliamentary Mission Calls Upon the PM
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 27 April: Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, met a 7 member high level European Parliamentary Mission, who called upon him. The Mission was headed by Mr. Nirj Deva. The Prime Minister discussed matters of mutual interest with the visiting delegation. Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations, NDMA was also present during the meeting.
Later in the day, the Mission also visited NDMA, Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Brig Sajid Naeem, Member Operations NDMA, gave a detailed briefing to the delegation on Flood Operations 2010. The visiting delegation was informed that NDMA was the apex disaster management body, mandated to deal with complete spectrum of disaster management in the country. He also elaborated upon the institutional framework of NDMA and its efforts to coordinate post-floods rescue, relief and early recovery operations. The visiting delegation was also appraised about normalization of situation in a short period in the flood affected areas. Owing to holistic and coordinated efforts by the NDMA and all other stakeholders, return of flood affected population to their abodes was nearly complete, emergency relief phase had transitioned into early recovery activities and infrastructure 
repairs. An amount of more than Rs. 29 billion had already been distributed through Watan Cards to over 1.5 million flood affected households as part of emergency cash grant. The Member Operations NDMA thanked the international humanitarian fraternity for their generous support after the 2010 Floods and also expressed the hope that this cooperation will continue until the holistic rehabilitation of flood hit areas.
Mr. Nirj Deva, the head of European Parliamentary Mission, appreciated the efforts of NDMA in post flood relief and recovery operations and also expressed the desire to invite NDMA representatives to Brussels for apprising the European Union Parliamentarians on how efficiently post-flood Rescue & Relief and Early Recovery Operations were coordinated by the NDMA.
23th April 2011
NDMA & UNDP Jointly Organise Disaster Management Exhibition
Islamabad:
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with the collaboration of Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar (UoP) organized a two-day Disaster Management Exhibition on 20th and 21st April 2011 at the University Campus in Peshawar. The exhibition was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under One UN DRM Joint Program. The Exhibition was mandated to show the latest products, services, technology and trends in disaster management and promote the transfer of disaster management knowledge amongst various stakeholders. Sixty six stalls were set up by a range of national and international disaster management institutions/organizations who displayed search, rescue, emergency response, emergency medical, fire fighting and extinguishing equipments. The exhibition provided a way forward to ensuring the effective handling of any natural or man-made disaster and a forum for key discussions and exchange of ideas on best practices.
The exhibition was formally inaugurated by the UNDP Country Director, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka. Besides Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Member (DRR), NDMA the guest of honor and Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Riaz formally welcome the delegates.
While addressing at the inauguration ceremony, Country Director UNDP appreciated the efforts of NDMA for its headship from the onset of 2010 floods and for its triumphant formulation and passing of the National Disaster Management Bill from the Parliament and the Senate. He said that frequent disasters in Pakistan had pushed more people into poverty and in vulnerable conditions and the response to disaster will have more profound impact on long-term recovery, especially for those who are already among the most vulnerable. He said that there was a growing international concern about the impacts of climate change on individuals, communities, national development. The international community is now placing emphasis on seeking new and innovative ways to mitigate climate-induced risks in terms of our lifestyles and socio-economic structure and environment. During the exhibition, various simulation drills on preparedness and emergency response were also arranged by different stakeholders.
Besides parallel to the DM Exhibition, the NDMA with the collaboration of CDPM, UoP organized a 2-day training workshop on “Disaster Risk Management” at the Archaeological Museum at Peshawar University Campus. The main objective of the workshop was to sensitize the university’s teachers, students and associated staff on the DRM system which is in place after the 2005 devastating Earthquake in Pakistan. Besides, to motivate the academia to introduce DRM as subject in the curricula in the form of training course, diploma and MS programmes. More than 65 participants attended the said workshop.
The closing ceremony of the exhibition and training workshop took place on April 21st. Mr. Ahmed Kamal, Member Disaster Risk Reduction NDMA was the Chief Guest. He appreciated the active role of UoP in organizing the exhibition and training workshop and assured NDMA’s assistance to provide further support for such initiatives in future. He distributed training workshop completion certificates among the participants as well as the shields amongst various exhibitors who displayed their stalls during the exhibition.
18th April 2011
National Management College Delegation visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 18 April; A nineteen member delegation comprising of senior officers from the 9th Senior Management Course of National Management College, visited National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters. The Acting Chairman of NDMA, Brig. Sajid Naeem briefed the delegation about the efforts of his organization in promoting a disaster aware culture in the country. The delegation consisted of senior officers from various occupational groups.
Apprising the delegation about various interventions of NDMA, especially during the floods 2010, the Acting Chairman NDMA remarked that it is not possible to predict disasters but with effective preparedness their devastating effects can be mitigated. He said that the management of 2010 floods would have been a gigantic task for any developed country but with the assistance of international donors, philanthropic zeal of the nation and commitment of government of Pakistan, the effects of this calamity have been lesser than expected. He observed that there has been no death due to 
hunger, no out break of any epidemic and nearly all of the displaced population has been repatriated. The Acting Chairman NDMA reiterated the resolve of government of Pakistan to mainstream DRR initiatives in all development projects.
The directing staff of the delegation, including Mr. Nasir Hassan Jami & Mr. Taha Hussain Bugti commended the efforts of NDMA in promotion of awareness in wake of disasters. They appreciated the cooperation of NDMA hierarchy for an informative study tour of the organization.
13th April 2011
Government and humanitarian community unveils early recovery plan
Islamabad:
As Pakistan’s response to the floods of July 2010 moves from relief to early recovery, the focus of assistance will be towards rebuilding livelihoods, rehabilitating basic and critical physical infrastructure, restoring health, education and water and sanitation services while targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized across the flood-affected districts. 18 million people and an area of 50,000 sq km was adversely affected with 1.8 million houses damaged/destroyed in last year’s floods.
At the conclusion of the relief phase in January this year, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the UN and other development partners established an Early Recovery Working Group (ERWG) which is jointly chaired by NDMA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and will coordinate Early Recovery(ER) in 29 most-affected districts till end December.
The ER programme constitutes 8 key sectoral and 4 thematic working groups. These include Food and Agriculture, Health and Nutrition, Education, Water and Sanitation, Housing, Governance, Non-Farm Livelihoods, and Community Infrastructure. The 4 thematic sub-groups will ensure that Environment, Protection, Disaster Risk Reduction and Gender considerations are mainstreamed across the main sectors.
Chairman NDMA Lt. General (Retd.) Nadeem Ahmed and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Timo Pakkala unveiled the plan today emphasizing that it aims to addresses a critical gap in coverage between humanitarian relief and long-term recovery—between reliance and self-sufficiency.
The mapping and gap analysis for ER has shown that the overall needs of the affected population stands in excess of US$ 1 billion. The ERWG, however, has prioritized the needs of the most vulnerable and the funding gap for responding to these critical needs is US $ 600.8 million.
Chairman NDMA, Lt. General (Retd.) Nadeem Ahmed said, ‘the gap analysis and planned activities in this Plan remain within the range of the Revised Pakistan Floods Relief and Early Recovery Response Plan and highlights critical needs. The remaining funds from the relief phase must be redirected to prioritized ER sectors to enable the affected communities to rebuild their lives’.
‘The transition from relief to long-term recovery is a major challenge for any post-crisis country. This Plan is a collaborative effort of the government and UN to bridge this gap and it is critical that the international community supports this effort both technically and financially’ said Timo Pakkala, Humanitarian Coordinator. ‘The financial support by the donors to the prioritized areas of intervention are not only important to restore the lives and livelihoods of the affected people, but will also have positive spillovers for the precarious economic situation of Pakistan by enhancing food security and creating emergency employment. I hope that the donors’ pledged support will quickly translate into financial releases’, he added.
29th March 2011
Chairman NDMA attends DRR Conference in Thailand
Islamabad:
Islamabad 29 March: To commemorate 25 years of Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), a two day conference chaired by Prime Minister of Thailand H.E Abhisit Vejjajiva, on 23rd and 24th March 2011 was arranged in Bangkok Thailand. The event was attended by high level officials from fifteen countries. Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, attended the conference. Other important participants included Mr. Nicholas Rosellini , Deputy Regional Director for the United Nations Development Programme for Asia & Pacific, Noleen Hevzer Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic & Social Commission for the Asia Pacific, and Ms. Ingrid Fiskaa , Norway’s State Secretary.
Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E Abhisit Vejjajiva, in his opening speech at the occasion stressed that the effective disaster risk reduction practices would be in tune with the nurturing of a disaster resilient culture in every part of society.
The Chairman, NDMA, Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed mentioned that the frequency and magnitude of disasters increased in Asia in recent past and climate change added to severity of the events. He highlighted that the factors including huge population growth, unplanned urbanization, deforestation, poor land use management plans, inadequate enforcement of the building codes, and investment in high risk areas contributed to the vulnerabilities of societies to the disasters.
The non-profit organization ADPC aims to make the region safer by reducing the risk of disasters in the region through cooperation and education.
25th March 2011
Uzbek Scholar Visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 25 March; Dr. Tashmirza Khalmirzaev, a renowned Uzbek scholar, recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz and a member of Uzbek-Pak Dosti Anjuman met with Brig. Sajid Naeem ,Member Operation, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and handed over 3 cartons of clothes as a symbol of love for the flood affected children of Pakistan.
Dr. Tashmirza Khalmirzaev appreciated the efforts of NDMA for provision of timely relief and rescue services to the victims of recent floods. He also commended the endeavors of NDMA for extending humanitarian assistance to the victims of devastating tsunami in Japan. Brig. Sajid Naeem briefed him about various humanitarian initiatives of NDMA and its efforts for mainstreaming DRR in all on going projects.
Dr. Tashmirza is a member of Urdu faculty in University of Oriental Studies, Tashkent and is currently working on Russian-Urdu-Russian Dictionary. The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz to Dr. Tashmirza Khalmirzaev for rendering invaluable services for Urdu Language.
24th March 2011
NDMA dispatch 2 C-130 Aircrafts with Relief Goods to Japan
Islamabad:
Islamabad 24 March: On the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan, syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, to express solidarity and share the grief of the People and Government of Japan in wake of the devastating tsunami, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) dispatched two C-130 aircrafts toady carrying 24 metric tons of urgently needed food items to Japan. The humanitarian cargo included 13.5 tons of High Energy Biscuits, 9 tons (7200 liters) of Milk and 1.5 tons (500 bottles) of clean Drinking Water. The Acting Chairman NDMA Brig. Sajid Naeem and Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E Chihiro Atsumi sent off the shipment.
On behalf of the Government and People of Pakistan, Acting Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Brig. Sajid Naeem expressed grief on the over whelming loss to life and property due to the quake triggered tsunami and said that the people of Pakistan stand by their Japanese brethren in this hour of need. The Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E Chihiro Atsumi thanked the Government and People of Pakistan for the expression of humanitarian concern in these difficult times.
14th March 2011
NDMA Search & Rescue Team & Field Hospital Ready to go to Japan
Islamabad:
In a bid to express solidarity and share the grief of the People and Government of Japan in wake of the devastating earthquake, National Disaster Management authority (NDMA) 70 member Urban Search and Rescue Team, accompanied by a Canine Unit and Field Hospital, is awaiting instructions to be dispatched to the quake hit areas of Japan.
On behalf of the Government and People of Pakistan, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed expressed sorrow for the terrible loss to life and property in Japan due to 8.9 quake. He stated that in order to extend help to our Japanese brethren in this hour of need, NDMA’s 70 member Urban Search and Rescue Team, along with a Canine Unit, is standing by to be dispatched to the quake affected areas of Japan. In addition, a 30 bedded modern Field Hospital is also ready and both these can be flown to the quake affected areas of Japan on a short notice. He said that the team is equipped with latest, state-of-the-art gear to handle such emergency situations.
The Chairman NDMA expressed grief on the over whelming loss due to the quake and expressed the hope that these losses can be mitigated by effective search and rescue efforts.
3rd March 2011
Chairman NDMA attends Pakistan Humanitarian Forum meeting
Islamabad:
Islamabad: 03 March: Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed attended a meeting of Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF). The intent of the meeting was to have an overview of the activities of PHF and interventions of the NDMA for seamless functioning of the Forum.
Addressing the session, the Chairman reiterated NDMA’s resolve to assist and facilitate international humanitarian agencies in discharge of their functions and activities in Early Recovery Phase, as it was during the Relief Phase, as regard to policies, implementation mechanism and advocacy at Federal as well as Provincial/District level. Speaking about the Single Reporting Format, Chairman said that it aims at tracking all funds, whether obtained under the flash appeal or on a non-mutually agreed upon format. The Chairman observed that compliance of Single Reporting Format (SRF) will be a precondition to deal with the Government of Pakistan. He said that SRF compliance would help to remove ambiguities. Henceforth all matters pertaining to the implementation of SRF will be dealt by NDMA instead of UN OCHA.
The participants of the meeting expressed their appreciation for comprehensive assistance and cooperation of NDMA extended to the International Humanitarian Agencies during the relief activities of Floods 2010.
3rd March 2011
Myanmar Media Delegation visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad; 03 March: A three member Myanmar Media delegation, headed by Mr. Ko Ko, chairman of Yangon Media Group, visited National Disaster Management Authority headquarters, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed briefed the delegation about the historic floods and the current situation in the affected areas. Senior members of Myanmar journalist community including Myo Lnim of ‘Myanmar Times’ and Myat Khine of ‘MWJA’ constituted the delegation.
While briefing the delegation about the recent floods and current situation in the affected areas, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed said that by all standards, the enormity of this calamity is unprecedented but the cooperation of its people and the International humanitarian initiative has enabled the government of Pakistan to successfully tackle the monumental challenges posed by this calamity. Chairman NDMA expressed the hope that this collaboration will continue for the holistic rehabilitation of distraught flood affectees.
A question answer session ensued after the briefing and all the members of Myanmar media delegation asked various questions regarding the recent floods. The leader of Myanmar media delegation Mr. Ko Ko highly praised the efforts of National Disaster Management Authority for providing timely relief and rescue facilitations to the flood victims and expressed hope that the situation will normalize soon.
22th Feb 2011
UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction meets Chairman NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad 22 Feb: UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms Margareta Wahlstrom called upon Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed.
Ms Margareta Wahlstrom observed that an investment in disaster risk reduction mechanisms in Pakistan can greatly reduce losses from future disasters. The meeting discussed various issues including DRR initiatives, recent floods, relief/rescue impact and rehabilitation activities in the flood hit areas. Ms Margareta Wahlstrom assured Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of the continued support of the international community in all its humanitarian initiatives.
Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed appreciated the positive assistance of the UN in all its undertakings.
20th Feb 2011
Chairman NDMA Visits Flood Affected Areas of Sindh
Islamabad:
Islamabad 20 Feb: To get first hand knowledge of the current situation, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed had an aerial visit of flood hit areas tehsil Khairpur Nathan Shah in district Dadu. A UNDP delegation, headed by UN Administrator Helen Clark, also accompanied.
The Chairman NDMA, after the visit, informed that the situation in these areas had fairly normalized as the water receded from the province except the few pockets of Daddu, Khairpur, Sehwan and Manchar lake. The health sector showed signs of early recovery as 86% of health facilities are functional. Most of the schools are functional and people started sending their children to schools. Commending the resilience of the people, he said that 95% of the previously submerged areas had already been re-cultivated which would reduce the fear of food shortage in the country. The Chairman NDMA said Early Recovery Phase had been launched and reconstruction in the flood affected areas was under way. He said that “Food for Work” and “Cash for Work” programmes initiated in these areas.
Chairman NDMA expressed satisfaction over the prevailing situation and early recovery in the flood hit areas and expressed that the life would be normalized soon due to the early recovery efforts of NDMA and government departments/Agencies.
19th Feb 2011
Saeeda Warsi Visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad 19 Feb:The Cabinet Minister of the British Government H.E. Baroness Saeeda Warsi, and a British Member Parliament Eric Ollerenshaw along with Mr. Adam Thomson the British High Commissioner to Pakistan visited National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Lt Col. Amer Siddique, Director Operations NDMA, briefed the delegation about the Floods 2010 and the relief operation carried out by the NDMA in the wake of disaster situation.
The Director Operation told that calamity affected more than 20 million people and caused losses of US$10 billion and NDMA coordinated effectively with all the stakeholders including respective Ministries, Provincial Governments/Disaster Management Authorities, line departments, and Donor Agencies to provide relief to the flood hit people. Lt Col. Amer appreciated the philanthropic zeal of the Pakistani community that timely helped the people in need. He also lauded the resilience of the affectees that 90% of the previously submerged land was re cultivated which eliminated the apprehension of food shortage. Further, he intimated that there was no out break of any epidemic in the flood hit area, a great success. The repatriation of 95% flood affectees is a testament of normalizing of situation in the flood hit areas, he also added.
H.E. Baroness Saeeda Warsi showed keen interest, asked various question and highly appreciated the role of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in formulation of policies and handling of challenges posed by various environmental conditions in the country.
12th Feb 2011
NDMA Briefs Media about various Initiatives
Islamabad:
Islamabad 12 Feb; Since its inception, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been proactively involved in Disaster Management and promoting Disaster Risk Reduction in the country. This organization has played an extremely vital role in the face of various challanging situations. NDMA has also launched Early Recovery Response Plan in a bid to move forward from the relief phase to Early Recovery of the flood hit areas.
Floods 2010:
In the previous year, Pakistan experienced the worst disaster in its history as the torrential waters swept across major parts of Pakistan. In this context NDMA took the lead in managing effective coordination among all the stake holders and in a short span of time situation has fairly normalized. As against a horrific 2.4 million hectares of land in November 2010, currently only 236889 acres of land is submerged. As a positive consequence of this, majority of affected population living in the relief camps have already repatriated. In Punjab there were 327 camps with 116,295 affectees, while now there are no camps left with 100% repatriation. In Sindh at the height of floods an aggregate of 4,682 camps housed 1,815,961 affectees, while at present only 83 camps are left with 100,016 affectees with 95% repatriation. IN KPK there were 825 camps with a population of 915,463, while now there are no camps with 100% repatriation. In Baluchistan initially there were 67 camps with 150,343 affectees, while at present 32 camps are left with a population of 22,992 with an 84% repatriation ratio. In the case of AJ&K, there were 2 camps with 900 affectees but presently with 100% repatriation there are no camps left in the area. In Gilgit Baltistan previously there were 25 camps with a population of 25,470 but with 100% repatriation there are no camps left in the area. In aggregate, there were a total of 5928 camps housing 3,024,432 affected people but presently only 115 camps are left with only 123,008 people living in them with a 96% aggregate repatriation ratio.
As far as the Watan Cards are concerned, In Punjab 608,824 Watan cards have been processed and an amount of Rs. 11,966,034,234 have been disbursed. In Sindh 553, 096 Watan Cards have been processed with a total disbursement of Rs. 10,086,363,450. In the case of KPK 198,408 Watan Cards have been processed and Rs. 3,845,856,591 have been disbursed. In Baluchistan 101,700 Watan cards have been processed and Rs.1,811,622,486 have been disbursed. In AJ&K 9,961 Watan Cards have been processed and Rs.185,412,500 have been disbursed. In the case of Gilgit Baltistan 3,258 Watan cards have been processed and Rs. 61,216,000 have been disbursed. In this regard, a total of 1,475,247 Watan Cards have been processed and a total amount of Rs.27,956,505,262 have been disbursed among the affectees.
In the Health sector 4 major diseases were reported, which included ARI(Acute Respiratory Infections), Skin Diseases, Acute Diarrohea and Suspected Malaria. At the peak,33% cases of ARI were reported while now the ratio has gone down to 31%. In the context of Skin Disease, 12% cases were reported, while at present it has come down to 9%. As far as Acute Diarrhoea is concerned, initially its reported ratio was 12%, while at present it has also gone down to 6%. And in the case of Suspected Malaria initially the ratio was 7% but it has been reduced to 5% only. This indicates a marked improvement in the health scenario in the flood hit areas.
Agriculture:
The 2010 monsoon floods affected the lives of over 18 million people and took an enormous toll on the rural poor. Around 80 percent of people in the affected areas depend on agriculture to provide for their families. A large majority lost their immediate and future sources of food and income, such as standing crops, seed stocks, livestock, fishery assets, farming equipment and tools. The Rabi cropping for the year 2010/11 is 1-2 % higher than the targets. In the flood affected districts, the Rabi coverage is 60-100% than that of the preceding year.
Flood Damage/Losses:
The damage in agriculture sector includes standing crops of maize, rice, vegetables, sugarcane, fodder, cotton (2.4 million hectares damaged):
• Means of crop production: fertilizer, machinery/ tools, draught power, storage, irrigation, seed stocks (0.5-0.6 million MT of
household wheat seed lost)
• Livestock: buffaloes, cows, goats, sheep, poultry (>22 million surviving livestock affected)
• Means to sustain livestock: stored fodder, animal shelter, veterinary supplies and services.• Fisheries and aquaculture assets: fishing gear, hatcheries, and fish farms.
• Forests and nurseries (forest/fruit): source of seedlings for future planting; timber; fuel; protection from floods, landslides, soil erosion.
Agriculture Cluster Funding Requirements:
As a part of UN Appeal, Agriculture cluster requested USD 170.6 million for the relief and early recovery period. About 60% of the amount has been received which comes to USD$ 97.40 million. The Gap between the required and received funding comes to USD$ 73.20 million.
FAO is the lead organization of the cluster, implementing three large projects with a total cost of 107 million USD.
During Rabi, Agriculture cluster has provided certified wheat seeds and fertilizers support to about 0.6 million families.
Special focus is being dedicated to vulnerable groups and female-headed households, which are receiving tailored inputs and training through implementing partners specialized in delivering support to women in Pakistan. A special Oil-seed support program has been designed for the southern Sindh and the right bank areas not able to cultivate proper Rabi crops.
A large livestock support program is underway, supporting about 0.5 million households. A limited cash/food for work initiative is supported by the DFID in Sindh.
The Kharif Planning focus more on filling in the gaps, addressing small infrastructure issues, and providing livelihood support to the most vulnerable farmers and women through kitchen gardening and poultry restocking.
NDMA and relevant clusters have developed Agriculture and food strategies with consultation of cluster members, donors & implementing partners for the early recovery.
In addition to cluster Federal and provincial governments have provide large Rabi support, Federal Government in the range of 4 billion and provincial governments about 8 billion.
There are additional interventions by the donors, like USAID through four rural support program and local philanthropist.
Challenges
There is a need for an improved baseline data for the agriculture sector, which can be best achieved by carrying out crop zoning and mapping through satellite. For the early recovery of the sector and guaranteeing a good crop yield for the upcoming seasons irrigation infrastructure should be repaired on priority basis as Irrigation is paramount to ensure survival of crops planted during Rabi (e.g. wheat) and indispensable for Kharif crops, particularly rice. Provision of seeds, fertilizers for upcoming Kharif planting should also needs to be done in a timely fashion.
In the livestock sub-sector, livestock support is of paramount importance. A large portion of surviving animals are weak, and continue to lack feed and proper shelter. A continuous vaccination programme to protect the livestock from FMD, HC and skin diseases.
Activities aimed at restoring fisheries and forestry production remains unfunded. There is a genuine need to promote the fisheries sector as it is an important source of livelihood for the flood affectees.
Early Recovery Working Group
After the end of flood relief phase last month, and for a smooth transition to restoring community infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, NDMA and United Nations jointly launched the Early Recovery Working Group (ERWG) on Friday, which will provide strategic and technical guidance during the implementation process till the end of this year. The flood recovery phase is aimed at building-back-better with an emphasis on applying principles of sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. NDMA has already developed sectoral guidelines that will be fed into the ERWG for making informed decisions. The ERWG will have representation from federal ministries, provincial and district line departments, international and local NGOs, and the UN agencies. UNDP will take lead on behalf of the humanitarian community. The Government of Pakistan has also announced that the residual relief will continue to be provided to flood affected families in five districts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
Ata Abad Lake
The lake which was created on the 4th of January 2010 near Attabad village in Hunza valley due to a massive landslide blocking Hunza River submerged a portion of KKH and caused considerable damage to life and property in the area.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been monitoring this calamity since its inception and has worked incessantly, in coordination with all the stake holders and line departments, to resolve the crisis by dewatering the lake and normalizing life in the adjoining areas. Currently the water level in the lake is at 368 feet and with an inflow of 1200-1400 cusecs and outflow of 3000-3500 cusecs, the level is consistently coming down with consequent reclamation of more submerged land. The depth of the spillway is 28 meters and currently 04 dozers, 12 excavators, 18 dumpers & 24 compressors are deployed for the construction of the spillway. In addition, 150 jawans of FWO have been deployed in the area. The helicopter support and boat service is available for emergencies in the area.
Sri Lankan Floods:
In a gesture of humanitarian concern and on the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sent a C-130 aircraft to Sri Lanka on the 26th January, 2011, with relief goods for the flood affectees.
The relief shipment included 300 Tents and 1000 Blankets. A team of senior NDMA officials accompanied the humanitarian shipment to handover the humanitarian cargo to their Sri Lankan counterparts.
Dalbandin Earthquake
A massive Richter 7.3 quake shook Baluchistan and some parts of Sindh and Punjab at 1:23 a.m on 19 Jan, 2011.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) initiated coordinated activities in the affected areas. All the necessary relief including medical care, food, tents and blankets were dispatched to the affected areas through two C-130 Air Crafts of the PAF.
Shah Alam Market Fire
A massive fire engulfed Shah Alam Market in Lahore for two days, took three lives, injured more than 30 and destroyed more than a dozen buildings including 3 Plazas, a mosque and a number of buildings worth Billions, was finally contained on 8th February, 2011.
Acting upon the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinated the relief and rescue activities in the fire ravaged area. Owing to the congested nature of the fire torn area all the efforts of concerned departments were unsuccessful. National Disaster Management Authority coordinated with 6 Squadron on 7th February for the provision of one UH-1H helicopter which made 10 water drops in 2 sorties. In addition to this, NDMA coordinated with Army Aviation Command and arranged one MI-17 helicopter on 8th February which made 6 water drops on the fire in 2 sorties (more than 21000 liters of water was dropped). The use of both the helicopters was extremely beneficial in the crammed area and played a vital role in putting out the inferno and saving invaluable lives and properties. Besides arranging the helicopters, NDMA managed effective coordination among all the concerned departments which was instrumental in putting out the fire.
9th Feb 2011
NDMA Coordinates Response to Shah Alam Market Inferno
Islamabad:
The fire which engulfed Shah Alam Market in Lahore for two days, took three(3) lives, injured more than thirty(30) and destroyed more than a dozen buildings including 3 Plazas, a mosque and a number of buildings worth Billions, was finally contained on 8th February, 2011.
Acting upon the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinated the relief and rescue activities in the fire ravaged area. Owing to the congested nature of the fire torn area all the efforts of concerned departments were unsuccessful. National Disaster Management Authority coordinated with 6 Squadron on 7th February for the provision of one UH-1H helicopter which made 10 water drops in 2 sorties (more than 21000 liters of water was dropped). In addition to this, NDMA also coordinated with Army Aviation Command and arranged one MI-17 helicopter on 8th February which made 6 water drops on the fire in 2 sorties. The use of both the helicopters was extremely beneficial in the crammed area and played a vital role in putting out the inferno and saving invaluable lives and properties. Besides arranging the helicopters, NDMA managed effective coordination among all the concerned departments in dealing with the emergent situation.
3rd Feb 2011
Chairman NDMA meets Canadian High Commissioner
Islamabad:
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt Gen (R) Nadeem Ahmed held a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Ross Hynes who called upon him in NDMA Headquarters.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ross Hynes lauded the NDMA led Government’s efforts in dealing with post floods situation in the affected areas. He assured Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen (R) Nadeem Ahmed, of the continued support of his Government in all humanitarian initiatives.
Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen (R) Nadeem Ahmed thanked the Government and people of Canada for the provision of timely humanitarian assistance to the flood affectees and expressed hope that this much needed support will continue till the completion of most crucial rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
26th Jan 2011
NDMA Sends Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
Islamabad:
On the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sent a C-130 aircraft to Sri Lanka with relief goods for the flood affectees.
The relief shipment included 300 Tents and 1000 Blankets. A team of senior NDMA officials is also onboard to handover the humanitarian cargo to their Sri Lankan counterparts. This expression of solidarity by the Government of Pakistan reflects the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries.
26th Jan 2011
Spillway Orifice of Attabad Lake Reopened
Islamabad:
The Spillway mouth of Attabad Lake Hunza is being re-opened for discharge on 26 January 2011 and 20,000 cusec water is likely to be discharged in Hunza river against its capacity of 50,000 cusecs. To meet any eventuality, on the direction of NDMA, the Government of Gilgit Baltistan and District Administration of Hunza Nagar have taken following precautionary measures;
- Vacation of low lying areas in down stream Attabad till the water flow stabilizes.
- Restriction on movement and activities near the river banks by imposing section 144.
The spillway mouth was closed in 1st week of January 2011 to undertake the mechanical excavation of the Spillway. The plan for mechanical excavation of the spillway has been envisaged by the Planning Commission which has been mandated to deal with all technical aspects related Attabad Lake. The plan is based on the inputs and recommendations from US, Chinese, NESPAK experts duly coordinated by NDMA. It was decided that FWO will undertake the mechanical excavation cum control blasting to further lower the lake level by 30 meters till end of May 2011. This will help to retrieve 15 KM of submerged KKH and will substantially reduce the cost of rehabilitation/reconstruction work of KKH, to be undertaken by the National Highway Authority (NHA) as a separate project.
21st Jan 2011
Boston Globe Correspondent Visits NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad 21 Jan: Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed held a meeting with the renowned Correspondent of American Newspaper Boston Globe, Ms. Farah Stockman, who called upon him in NDMA headquarters.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed briefed Ms. Stockman about the recent floods in the country and the on going relief and recovery initiatives of NDMA in this regard. Ms. Stockman took keen interest in the briefing and asked various questions about the floods and humanitarian efforts led by NDMA. She lauded the initiatives of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for providing timely relief to the flood affectees. She also appreciated NDMA’s efforts for disaster risk reduction in the country.
19th Jan 2011
A Richter 7.3 Quake Shudders Pakistan
Islamabad:
A massive Richter 7.3 quake shook Baluchistan and some parts of Sindh and Punjab at 1:23 a.m on Wednesday. Tremors were also felt in Dubai to the west and New Delhi to the east. The epicenter of this quake was 55 km west of Dalbandin with a depth of 55 km.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already initiated coordinated activities in the affected areas. All the necessary relief including medical care, food, tents and blankets have been dispatched to the affected areas through two C-130 Air Crafts of the PAF.
Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army are on high alert and two air missions are undertaking the necessary assessments in the quake hit area. In addition, a Bell and MI-17 helicopter of Pakistan Army and a Cessna air craft are currently standing by in Quetta with three medical teams to be deployed on short notice. NDMA is in constant liaison with the Chief Secretary Baluchistan and concerned DCOs. Local Administration has been requested to provide a thorough damage assessment for initiation of additional support.
NDMA will continue to contribute and monitor the necessary activities for the people of affected area. Any further detail on the development of this earthquake will be available on |NDMA’s Website www.ndma.gov.pk and also with the NDMA’s spokesperson Mr. Ahmed Kamal on his Mobile # 0300 5278981- 0331 5657779. Complaints can also be lodged with NDMA Call Center at 051-9087888.
17th Jan 2011
NATO Hands Over Logistic Support Bridge to NDMA
Islamabad:
Islamabad 17 Jan: For the restoration of basic infrastructure, which bears great significance to normalize life in the flood affected areas, NATO donated common funded Logistic Support Bridge to Pakistan. Brotherly country of Turkey has undertaken the transportation of the bridge material from Istanbul to Karachi.
On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) official Lt Col (Retd) Muhammad Ali Haider Qazi received the bridge at Port Qasim in Karachi from Mr. Cenk Unal Counselor & Deputy Head of Mission, and Captain Levent Uca Armed Force & Naval Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Islamabad.
The donated bridge can be configured to form at least four bridges, each measuring 50 meters in length along with one set of Launching & Erection Equipment for bridge installation. The current bridge stock weighs approximately 615 metric tons with a total length of 234 meters and will be used in restoring the damaged communication links in district Swat.
15th January 2011
Russian relief assistance arrives at Chaklala Airbase
Islamabad:
Islamabad 15 Jan: A cargo flight carrying 107,185 Kgs of relief goods donated by the Government of Russian Federation for the flood affcetees, arrived at the PAF Base Chaklala. The First Secretary of the Embassy of Russian Federation in Pakistan, Mr. Dmitry Melnik handed over the relief consignment to the officials of the NDMA. The relief consignment consisted of 12000 Wound Healing Gels, 3500 Medical Gauzes, 400 Tents and 21,582 MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and will be distributed in the flood affected areas.
15th January 2011
Chairman NDMA Meets WFP Delegation
Islamabad:
Islamabad 15 Jan: Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen (Retd) Nadeem Ahmed held a meeting with a delegation of World Food Programme (WFP) which called upon him in the NDMA headquarters.
The delegation, headed by Country Director WFP Mr. Wolfgang Herbinger, presented Chairman NDMA “Pakistan Flood Recovery Assessment Survey” involving situation assessment after four months of relief work. The Survey focuses on the Current Needs of flood affectees, Food Insecurity in the flood hit areas, “Operational Problems” regarding local security issues in food distribution and Change in Livelihood Patterns after the floods. The field reassessment is expected to help in the identification of Early Recovery Assistance modalities.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed assured the delegation that NDMA will extend every possible help in the humanitarian efforts in flood affected areas.
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