ISLAMABAD - National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) through technical support of United Nations Development Programme has launched the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). In his address as Chief Guest at the launching of the NIDM, Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority, Lt Gen (R) Farooq Ahmad Khan said that NIDM had a huge responsibility of instilling DRM ideas in the minds of youth, the government officers and civil society organisations. I am determined to make the NIDM a hub of knowledge and information on Disaster Risk Management, said the Chairman. He was optimistic that establishment of the NIDM would develop a culture of DRM which would lead Pakistan towards sustainable development and a risk-free country. Speaking on the occasion, the UNDP Deputy Country Director, Mikiko Tanaka said, When disasters strike, the impact of our work - so often measured in gradual increments over time - is by necessity instant and pivotal. At moments, we are reminded again of the imperative to work on disaster-risk reduction and response in times of both stability and turmoil. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established in 2007 with an aim to be at the forefront of disaster management in the country. It has been mandated to focus on putting in place systems, which reduce the potential devastation from a disaster and ensures that if they do occur there are mechanisms to respond to it effectively. For this purpose, national and provincial fora have been strengthened in disaster risk management. It is to mention here that the section-26 (sub-section -1) of the National Disaster Management Ordinance (NDMO) also envisages establishment of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) to be a responsible body for planning and promoting training and research; and developing core competencies in the area of disaster management, documentation and development of national level information base relating to disaster management policies, prevention mechanism and mitigation measures. This Management Institute would further strengthen the efforts of the Government to promote Disaster Risk Management (DRM) as a priority as disasters are one of the major stumbling blocks in attaining development goals and very often reverse the gains from development. The institute would respond to the need of creating a full-fledged academic institute for providing research and training services for disaster risk managers in the country. NIDM would function as a premier centre of excellence for providing training and research services on DRM to the public and private sector individuals. The UN System in Pakistan also plays a pivotal role to further strengthen the national Disaster Risk Management System.