PM for paradigm shift in disaster risk management approach

ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan 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 such an approach envisaged mitigation through a mix of structural and non-structural measures, putting in place strong response mechanisms and recovery plans to minimize losses.
“It also underpins the need for preparing communities to better combat such adversities being the usual first responders,” he added.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, who lost their loved ones due to devastating earthquake on 8th October 2005, he said 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 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 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.