PM for high-level preparedness to cope with impact of climate changes

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday called for high-level preparedness and institutional response to meet the challenges confronting the country due to looming impacts of climate change. An official said that while chairing a meeting of National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) on Wednesday, the Prime Minister was visibly concerned that climate change coupled with various other factors had increased the frequency of disasters.
The meeting gave ex post facto approval of Rs 104.20 million for compensation to the affectees of Line of Control (LoC) firing by Indian forces and decided to bring the NDMC under the Prime Minister Office in order to overcome bureaucratic delays and improve efficiency and effectiveness of the authority (NDMA). The meeting also discussed various proposals to enhance the capacity of NDMA, ratified relief and aid provided to the friendly countries during various disasters and approved the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF). The framework would serve as a model for the provinces to ensure safety and disaster risk reduction.
The meeting also approved a proposal of a cohesive disaster management legislation and institutional framework through merger, repealing or reconfiguring the existing laws and organizations related to the disaster management.
The meeting also decided to create a model National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as a pilot project, at the federal level by utilizing the human resource available with other organizations associated with disaster and relief management and to strengthen Aviation Wing of Ministry of Interior for providing aviation support to NDMA during its rescue and relief efforts.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Omar Mahmood Hayat presented an overview of disaster management context of the country, evolution of disaster management authority, achievements made so far and the challenges faced by the NDMA in responding to emergency situations and taking measures for disaster risk reduction and effective response mechanism. The meeting was also informed about the contributions of the NDMA towards providing relief and rescue during emergencies in various foreign countries.
He said that past experience should be utilized to fine tune disaster management strategies and put in place an efficient and effective mechanism in line with best international practices.
Those who attended the meeting included leader of opposition in National Assembly, leader of opposition in Senate, minister for climate change, minister for defense, foreign minister, minister for national food security and research, minister for water resources, advisor to the PM for Finance, minister of state for information, broadcasting, NH&LH, governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chief minister Gilgit-Baltistan, prime minister AJK, minister for disaster management Punjab, minister for rehabilitation Sindh, chairman NDMA and other senior officials.