NDMA discusses disaster management cooperation with Swiss FM

Two dozens farmers trapped in flood water in Shakargarh.

ISLAMABAD- Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Sunday held an interactive meeting with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to discuss key points related to disaster management and resilience upon his visit here to NDMA headquarters.

The meeting focused on various aspects of disaster preparedness and collaboration between the two countries in the field of disaster management.

The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) emphasized the significance of local community engagement in order to enable disaster resilience.

He highlighted the unprecedented Floods 2022 emphasizing the need for an efficient Early Warning System (EWS) in place to mitigate the adverse impacts of such disasters.

He stressed the crucial role of disaster preparedness in Pakistan, stating that managing two simultaneous disasters can be a daunting task and have severe consequences.

He apprised the Swiss delegation of inclusive and people-centric disaster preparedness system, mentioning three National Simulation Exercises (SimExs) conducted by NDMA to enhance disaster preparedness in Pakistan.

The NDMA Chairman underlined the importance of reaching out to regional universities for knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Swiss Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis, expressed his gratitude for MoU on disaster management cooperation between Switzerland and Pakistan.

He highlighted the similarity in topography and challenges faced by both countries, and emphasized the importance of technological knowledge in dealing with complex disaster management.

Swiss Minister lauded the development and achievements in disaster management in Pakistan and expressed his anticipation for future cooperation based on the MoU.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue to work closely together to enhance disaster management capabilities and share best practices in the field.

At least two dozen people have been trapped across the river in the low-level flood in Shakargarh when India suddenly released water into the Ravi River,

According to reports, despite advance notice from Indian authorities, the Pakistan government failed to convey its message to the villagers in time about the release of water.

The farmers of Chun Maan Singh including women and children continued working in their fields on the banks of River Ravi. After the release of water by the Indian Punjab, they were trapped by rising water levels and feared for their lives.

The trapped people also released video messages that they are unable to return to their village due to the increasing flood water. “There is too much water. We are going to drown.”

The people were of the view that the administration did not take any concrete steps to inform the people about the flood situation.

The other said that the people did not take the administration’s warning seriously and went to their fields routinely and stuck to the other side of the river.

Now the citizens are worried about the flow of water in the river. They appealed to higher authorities to evict them.