
Muzaffarabad(Special Correspondent)-A departmental meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) was held under the chairmanship of Secretary Disaster Management and Civil Defense, Ms.Tahzeeb ul Nisa ,Director General SDMA Masoodur Rahman. The meeting aimed to enhance emergency services and disaster management in Azad Kashmir.
Ms. Rahman and Director Operations Saeedur Rahman Qureshi briefed the attendees on the department’s performance and targets. The meeting emphasized the importance of providing efficient services, especially during natural calamities and emergency incidents.
The Azad Government of Jammu and Kashmir is taking steps to establish rescue services at the tehsil level and set up water rescue stations, as per the Prime Minister’s orders. Funds for the first quarter of the Water Rescue Development Scheme have been released.
Currently, 25 stations provide primary fire and medical services. The Secretary Disaster Management expressed satisfaction with the department’s performance and stressed the need for efficient resource utilization.
Recent initiatives include the establishment of an Integrated Emergency Response Center, collaborating with the health department to respond to medical emergencies. Rescue 1122 stations and water rescue stations are being set up across Azad Kashmir, with practical exercises conducted recently.
Future plans include establishing a mortuary center, a five-year disaster management plan, and a community-level disaster risk reduction plan. A volunteer conference was organized last month to train and engage the public in disaster response efforts.