Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in cooperation with private organizations organized an awareness conference “How to prevent natural disasters”. Punjab Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique was special guest of the conference attended by US Consul General Lahore Kristen K Hawkins, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Emergency Services Department Dr Rizwan Naseer and the DG PDMA. The event was aimed to discuss relief measures before the flood season. Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government wanted to increase cooperation with international NGOs to tackle the natural disasters. “We are benefiting from the experiences of NGOs. We will take beneficial measures for the public of Punjab,” he said and added the PDMA was taking innovative measures to protect people from natural calamities. The provincial minister congratulated Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Khan and his team for organizing the conference.

Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed said that the nexus of working methods of the PDMA and knowledge of NGOs would be beneficial for people. The experience of dealing with natural disasters all over the world would benefit the Punjab government, he added. Irfan Ali Kathia informed the participants about the working of the PDMA. He said that according to the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the PDMA was working to deal with monsoon rains and possible flood situation. The preparations regarding “Risk Reduction” had been accelerated, he added and said that for the first time in the history of Punjab, such a conference has been organised in which local issues were discussed with international organisations. US Consul General Lahore Kirsten K. Hawkins said that Pakistan was among the countries affected by climate change.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan