Portugal praises NDMA’s disaster preparedness system

ISLAMABAD, Jul 14 (APP): A high level Portuguese delegation led by Director General Foreign Policy Helena Malcata visited the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Headquarters on Monday to review Pakistan’s disaster preparedness framework, explore avenues for bilateral cooperation, and discuss the use of advanced technologies for strengthening early warning and emergency response systems.

The delegation included Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan Paulo Domingues, Director of Asia Department Vitor Marcelino, and Senior Political Officer David Arcao.

The visiting delegation was briefed on NDMA’s evolving disaster management system and Pakistan’s transition from reactive disaster response to proactive disaster risk management.

Team NDMA highlighted the integration of advanced technologies, anticipatory planning, and data driven decision making to strengthen national resilience against natural and human induced hazards.

Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, HI (M), outlined the Authority’s initiatives aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness, strengthening early warning mechanisms, and improving coordination among federal, provincial, and international stakeholders.

Haider shared NDMA’s vision of leveraging next generation technologies to further enhance Disaster Early Warning systems and ensure coordinated emergency response across the country.

The delegation was also briefed on NDMA’s institutional coordination framework and its collaboration with national leadership, provincial disaster management authorities, humanitarian partners, academia, and international organizations.

Pakistan’s efforts in localized risk communication, anticipatory action planning, resource mobilization, and integrated disaster response coordination were also highlighted during the briefing.

The Portuguese delegation was shown Disaster Lens 2026 and received a briefing on the Comprehensive International Simulation Exercises, initiatives that reflect Pakistan’s commitment to advancing disaster preparedness through innovation, technology, and international cooperation.

The Portuguese delegation appreciated NDMA’s state of the art operational capabilities and its forward looking approach to disaster risk management.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, capacity building, and humanitarian response.

The visit concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen institutional partnerships and promote knowledge sharing to address the growing challenges posed by climate change and complex disasters.