ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday called for urgent need to implement a paradigm shift from response-oriented approach to a proactive, integrated and holistic approach to Disaster Risk Management aligned with global frameworks including the Sendai Framework for DRR and global Sustainable Development Goals.
In a message on National Resilience Day which falls on October 8, the Prime Minister said that such an approach envisaged mitigation through a mix of structural and non-structural measures, putting in place strong response mechanisms and recovery plans to minimise losses.
“It also underpins the need for preparing communities to better combat such adversities being the usual first responders,” the prime minister added.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, who lost their loved ones due to devastating earthquake on October 8th 2005, he said that since then people of the country had been repeatedly affected by both hydro-meteorological and geo-physical disasters of enormous magnitude.
“We observe this day as “National Resilience Day” to not only pay homage to our people who lost their lives due to these disasters, but also as a day of our renewed national resolve for resilience,” he added.
The Prime Minister noted that today, they have a robust institutional structure for disaster management in the form of National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities.
He said that they needed to strengthen the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) that were supposed to be the actual implementing bodies of DRM policy and plans at local level.
He termed it one of the most important components in the Local Government system.
The Prime Minister said that the Government of Pakistan was cognizant of the fact that there was increase in intensity and frequency of natural disasters and assured required resource allocation for implementation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and National Disaster Management Plan.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi has stressed upon the need to adopt best practices, implement desired policy actions and strategies aimed at resilience building of the nation in the face of natural calamities and disasters.
In a message on National Resilience Day being observed on October 8, the President said that the policy actions in Pakistan should address key sectors like safe development of infrastructure, disaster preparedness along with other areas, such as poverty alleviation, thorough land-use planning, building codes implementation, water resources management, sound agriculture practices and enhanced forestation across Pakistan including coastal areas.
He said that Pakistan observes the Day to express solidarity and sympathy with families who suffered natural calamities.
The President also urged all the Federal and provincial stakeholders to create synergies in action to ensure disaster risk reduction, preparedness, besides mounting swift and prompt response mechanisms.
“We must take care of vulnerable segments of our society including women, children, elderly people and people with disabilities in all our interventions,” he observed.
The day reminded the devastating earthquake of 2005 that wreaked havoc in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country by causing immense damages to life, property and infrastructure, he added.
President Dr Alvi further observed that the people of Pakistan had exhibited courage, selflessness, spirit of sacrifice and resilience to withstand the testing times despite being hit by multiple disasters of mega magnitude.
“The observance of this day as “National Resilience Day: is also an occasion for stock-taking and to reiterate our commitment to make greater efforts for preparing ourselves to face such adversities. It is also an occasion to show our resolve for disaster risk reduction,” he added.
The President said that disasters had affected the economy and severely impacted social fabric of society.
“Our institutional response capacities have been tested to a great extent. It is heartening to note that our national disaster management systems led by National Disaster Management Authority is engaged in creating awareness among our people, besides building capacities at different levels,” he added.