ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged the entire nation, particularly academia, media and civil society to play their due role in creating awareness among the people on natural calamities and preparedness to minimize their hazards.
The prime minister said that on National Disaster Awareness Day observed nationwide annually on October 8 in commemoration of disastrous earthquake hitting Pakistan in 2005, the prime minister said that he was sure that Pakistan could be made a disaster resilient through better awareness and sound preparedness.
“Disaster Risk Reduction is our top priorities, which reflects our resolve to fight disasters. We are a resilient nation and I commend the people for their humanitarian spirit, demonstrated in the times of past disasters,” he remarked. He said the nation observed the day in memory of those who lost their lives in the past disasters.
He said that the incumbent government notified October 8, as Disaster Awareness Day in 2015 to create awareness about deadly impacts of natural disasters and to educate the people on how to mitigate disasters, especially in the perspective of climate change.
He said that it was important to note that disaster management required a whole nation approach. Participation of every citizen is indispensable for a comprehensive and effective response in case of any calamity, he added.
He said that the government had ensured resourcing of NDMA and gone a step further by establishing National Fund for Disaster Management with the assistance of Asian Development Bank. He reiterated that the government also stood committed to finalise and implement National Flood Protection Plan IV with the consensus of provinces to mitigate the effects of floods in future.
