Seminar on 'disaster management & early preparedness' held

Speakers at consultative seminar on "Disaster Management & Early Preparedness" have called for strengthening all sources of mobility and accessibility for effective delivery services to vulnerable people in disaster zones. They also stressed that the rescue and relief operation should be upgraded by efficient monitoring system.
The consultative seminar on policy documents prepared by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) held under the auspices of Pakistani Hoslamand Khawateen Network (PHKN), a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with NDMA and Mrasteryal Development Foundation, here on Friday.
Representatives of relief and humanitarian organisations, officials of health, education, child protection units, representatives of NDMA, and social welfare organisation attended the seminar. Member Disaster Risk Reduction, NDMA Ahmad Kamal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education Qazi Asad, MPA Yasmin Zia were present on the occasion.
Notable speakers included Kazim Shuaib GCC NDMA, Jawadullah from Save the Children, Sujata Tuladhar of UNFPA, Nighat Siddique, Advisor Gender & Child Cell, NDMA, Irum Fatima, from PHKN, Wasim Raza, Director Operations, MDF, representatives of different CSO, NGOs and officials of government departments, Child Protection Units.
The participants after group discussion came up with some suggestions and recommendation, including upgrading the existing rescue and relief operation, provision of medical, food and other facilities on priority basis. They also asked for strengthening Early Warning System, restructuring of camp facilities etc. The participants also recommended for provision of better health, education, especially maternity facilities at makeshift camps.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education, Qazi Asad while addressing the seminar, acknowledged that it was difficult to tackle any disaster. The government can not address all such issues alone and needed support of private sectors as well as international assistance, he added.
He stressed that the coordination and linkages were key to prevent maximum damages in the disaster areas. He said the consultative session was a better initiative, which could help make rescue, relief and post recovery operation more effective. The provincial minister emphasised for sensitisation and mobilisation of local community, especially youth about the disaster risk and management. MPA Yasmin Zai informed the participants about the relief initiatives, after floods, taken by the provincial government in the province.