Acknowledging significant global efforts in disaster management, Pakistan has been granted the regional chairmanship of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) for 2024. The leadership was officially transferred from New Zealand in a high-level meeting to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Pakistan. Representing the newly elected Regional Chair, Chairman NDMA was conveyed by Executive Director Plans Raza Iqbal during the meeting. He reaffirmed the commitment to fostering international cooperation and bolstering disaster management capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. Under Pakistan's guidance, NDMA outlined key initiatives to enhance natural disaster response capabilities. One of the initial steps includes organizing the International Rescue Challenge (Lahore) and the Asia-Pacific Earthquake Response Exercise (Lahore). Punjab Emergency Services, in collaboration with Rescue 1122, will host the earthquake response exercise. These events, along with the Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting (Islamabad), aim to fortify preparedness and coordination in earthquake-prone areas, facilitating member states in developing robust strategies for disaster response.

With Pakistan assuming the regional chairmanship, a proactive and collaborative approach to disaster and emergency situations was emphasized. NDMA assured that, in the coming year, the country would prepare the INSARAG community for disaster response through the exchange of experiences, effective coordination, and support. Ambassador Dominique Steelhart, the newly elected Global Chair from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, played a pivotal role in advancing INSARAG's global initiatives. Joining the League of Regional Chairs are Marius Dogiano from the Ministry of Interior, Romania (AEM Regional Chair), and Jorge Carrillo, Risk Management Secretary, Ecuador (US Regional Chair), alongside NDMA Pakistan representing the Asia-Pacific region. Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Chief Emergency Response Section (ERS) and INSARAG Secretary from INSARAG Secretariat, participated in the meeting. INSARAG, a global network under the United Nations, focuses on providing international support in urban search and rescue operations during disasters, particularly earthquakes. The organization sets guidelines for search and rescue teams worldwide to evacuate victims from damaged buildings, playing a crucial role in global disaster relief operations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)