ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTRE
Visiting Researcher Program – FY2016B
COUNTRY REPORT: ISLAMIC REUBLICOF PAKSTAN

Akbar Bacha,
Assistant Director,
National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA), Ministry of Climate Change Pakistan.
e-mail: calmebacha@gmail.com
official: bacha@ndma.gov.pk
web: http:// www.ndma.gov.pk

0Table of Contents
1. General Information of Pakistan……………………………………………..02
2. Natural Hazards in Pakistan………………………………………………….03
3. Recent Major Disasters….……………………………………………………04
4. Evolution of Disaster Management System in Pakistan………….............08
4.1. The Driving Forces…………………………………….………….........08
4.2. Disaster Management Regime in Pakistan…………………………..09
4.3. Structure of Disaster Management…………………………………....10
4.3.1. NDMC.…………………………………………………………….10
4.3.2. NDMA……………………………………………………………..11
4.3.3. PDMA……………………………………………………………..13
4.3.4. DDMA……………………………………………………………..14
5. Key Federal Ministries / Departments at National Level………………….17
6. Country Disaster Risk Management Status ……………………………….18
6.1. DRR – A paradigm shifts………………………………………………19
6.2. Country DRM Status Report……………………………………. ……22
6.2.1.1. Country’s Disaster Risk Profile……………………............22
6.2.1.2. Disaster Risk and Losses 2005-2015……………....……...23
6.2.1.3. SFDRR Priorities (I-IV) ……………………………………...24
6.3. International cooperation………………………………………………37
6.4. Key issues, priorities for SFDRR Implementation………….............39
7. ADRC Counterpart …………………………………………………………...40
8. References…………………………………………………………………….41

1

1. General Information of Pakistan
Pakistan is situated in South Asian region between longitudes 61 o & 75o30'E andlatitudes 23o30' & 36o45'N covering a total land area of 796,096 sq km. It comprises
the four provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh plus
the Federal Capital (Islamabad), Gilgit-Baltistan region (GB) and 'Tribal Areas(FATA)' under federal administration, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). There is a
Parliamentary form of Government with a Prime Minister as the executive head andthe President as the constitutional head. The National Language is Urdu. Populationof the country is 190 million(Approx.).
The country shares its borders with Iran to the west, India in the south-east,
Afghanistan in the north-west, and China in the north. The Arabian Sea lies to its
south as shown in (Fig-1). Pakistan shares total border length of 6,744 km withneighboring countries; with Afghanistan (2,430 km); with China (523 km); with India(2,912 km) and Iran (909 km). The coastal belt is about 1,046 km. Details of Maritime
claims are: Territorial Sea (12nm); Contiguous Zone (24 nm); Exclusive Economic
Zone (200 nm) and Continental Shelf (200 nm).

Figure-1. Geographic location of Pakistan and its main cities

2

Geographically Pakistan can be divided into five major portions:Northern high mountain ranges (the Himalayas; the Karakorum and the Hindukush)a. The Balochistan Plateau along western borderingb. The Indus River plains in the eastc. The Salt range across the northern portion of the Punjab provinced. The Deserts (Cholistan in Punjab & Thar in Sindh province).
The climate of Pakistan varies with its topography but most consists of hot, dry desert,
temperate in north-west and arctic in the north. About 60% of the total land area isclassified as arid, which receives less than 200 mm annual rainfall. The southernslopes of the Himalayas and the sub mountainous tract receive higher rainfall ranging
from 760 to 1270 mm annually. Some areas adjoining Kashmir receive more than2000 mm precipitation per annum.
Pakistan has four well marked seasons namely Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter.
It’s usually, cold from November to February; Pre-monsoon (Hot), from March to midof June; Monsoon, from mid of June to mid of September and Post-monsoon, frommid of September to October. Summer season is extremely hot and the relative
humidity ranges from 25% to 50%. Day-time temperature in this season remains
40oC and beyond in plain areas. The average temperatures in winter range from 4oC
to 20oC. Mercury sometimes falls well below freezing point in Northern parts of thecountry. Temperatures can be as low as - 27°C in the north (at Skardu) in winter andas high as 52°C in the southern parts during summer.

2. Natural Hazards in Pakistan:Due to geo-physical conditions, climatic extremes, and high degrees of exposure andvulnerability, Pakistan is a disaster-prone country. Pakistan’s exposure to natural
hazards and disasters could be ranked between moderate to severe. A range ofhydro meteorological, geo-physical and biological hazards including earthquakes,
floods, tsunamis, cyclones and storms, droughts, glacial lake outbursts, landslides,
avalanches, pest attacks and epidemics pose risks to Pakistani society. Some ofthese hazards (e.g. floods, landslides etc.) are predominantly seasonal and occur on3

an annual basis, whereas other hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis are rare
events but potentially highly destructive. Pakistan frequently suffers fromearthquakes. Northern and Western parts are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
The Indus River is known as flood-prone area especially in July and August. Highpriority hazards in terms of their frequency and scale of impact are: earthquakes,
flooding, droughts, wind storms and landslides that have caused widespread damage
and losses in the past.

3. Recent Major Disasters:

a. Hindukush Earthquake (April 2016)
An Earthquake havening magnitude 7.1 on Richter Scale, has struck various partsof the country (10:29:02 UTC), including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally
Administered Tribal Areas, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab,
Balochistan and Islamabad Capital Territory. The epicenter of the quake locatedat Hindu Kush Region, Afghanistan. Soon after the earthquake, mobile phoneservices were choked for because of the high voice traffic. NDMA, soon after theincident has issued alerts to all Provincial Disaster Management Authorities(PDMAs) to caution exercise in view of expected aftershocks. While DMAs ofprovinces/ AJ&K/ GB/FATA have been asked to carryout damage assessment.
Instructions to NHA, WAPDA, PTA and all other relevant departments were also
issued to assess damages at their respective circle. While Pakistan Air-force wasrequested to carryout aerial photography/survey to evaluate damages toinfrastructure and slope stability of mountains especially in GB and KP. Moreover,
SUPARCO was also asked to provide satellite imageries to analyze the extent ofdamages. National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA was activated tomonitor the situation 24/7.Damages and losses included death of 127 people,
injury of 102 people and damage to 1, 948 houses.

b. Hindukush Earthquake (October 2015)
It was of magnitude 8.1 earthquake (PMD) that struck South Asia on 26th October
2015, at 14:09 PST (09:09 UTC) with the epicenter at Hindukush region(45 km
northof `Alaqahdari-ye

Kiran-

wa
4

Munjan),Afghanistan

havingdepth

193km. An aftershock of 5.3 magnitude struck 40 minutes after the main
event. Mobile phone services were choked for several hours because of the highvoice traffic. Tremors were felt in Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The
earthquake was also felt in the Indian cities of New Delhi and Indian Administered
Kashmir,
and

and

in

the

prefecturesof Kashgar,

Aksu,

Hotan,

Kizilsu in Xinjiang, China while damage was also reported in Afghan

capital Kabul. Damages and losses included death of 280 people, injury of
1,770 people and damage to 109,110 houses. Out of total deaths, 82 % occurredin Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan.

c. Flood (July 2015):
Due to heavy monsoon rainfall in July 2015 affected several areas of Pakistan
triggered river and glacial lake overflow in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and river
overflow in Punjab province. The flood causes, death of 244 people, injury of
201 people, damage to 23,934 and affected more than 4,000 villages.

d. Flood (September 2014):
Due to heavy monsoon rainfall in September 2014 resulted widespread floodingin Azad Kashmir, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) andlater Sindh province in Pakistan. The flood causes, death of 367 people, injury
to 673 people, damage to 107,102 houses and affected around 2.5 million
populations.

e. Awaran Earthquake (September 2013):
This earthquake occurred on 24th September, 2013 having a magnitude of 7.7
Mw and a maximum

intensity of VII (Very Strong). The shock occurred 66

kilometers (41 mile) north-northeast of Awaran in the province of Balochistan,southwestern Pakistan. Mashkai, Mangoli, Awaran and Mala/Dandar areas in
Balochistan were badly affected. The quake causes, death of 386 people, injury
to 816 people and damage to 46,756 houses.

5f. Flood (August 2013):
Due to heavy monsoon rainfall in August 2013 triggered flash floods and caused
widespread losses and damage across Pakistan. All provinces and Azad Jammu& Kashmir badly affected. The flood causes, death of 333 people, injury of 173
people, damage to 799,43,15 houses and affected around 1.5 million populations.
Moreover, around 13,504 cattle were also perished during the flood.

g. Flood (September 2012):
The floods began in early September 2012, resulting from heavy monsoon rains
in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa(KP), Upper

Sindh, Southern Punjab andBalochistan regions of Pakistan. Initially according to the Met Office forecasts,
Pakistan was to receive below normal rainfall in 2012 and most of these areas
were bracing for a drought. But by September 1st , the Pakistan Meteorological
Department (PMD) started to roll out emergency weather advisories stating thatan extremely low pressure Monsoon system, developed over the Bay of Bengal
will

enter

the

Southern Punjab,

country

and

cause

Southern Khyberwidespread

heavy

Pakhtunkhwa

rainfall(KP),

acrossEastern

Balochistan and Sindh. The low pressure system entered the country on
September 3 and lashed these areas with heavy falls. The system continued tostay till September 12, 2012.
Flash Floods triggered by heavy rains caused widespread destruction across vast
swathes of the country, breaking a 24-year rainfall record. The chief amount of
rainfall recorded 481 mm at Jacobabad in Sindh province from 5 to 9 September
2012. The flood causes, death of 571 people, injury of 2,902 people, damage to636,438 houses and affected 4.8 million populations. Crops over 1.7-million-acrearea (approx.) was affected. Moreover, around 12,121 cattle were also perishedduring the flood.

h. Flood (August-September 2011):
The flood was originated mostly because of rainfall and observed the highest everrecorded monsoon rain in Sindh province started from Aug 11, 2011 to Sept 14,
6

2011. So the inundated area increased respectively with rainfall. Unprecedented
torrential monsoon rains caused severe flooding in 16 x Districts of Sindh
province. Balochistan province also affected. The food causes, death of 520
people, injury of 1,180 people, damage to 16 million houses and affected 9 million
populations. Crops over 2.3-million-acre area(approx.) was also affected. The
flood was ranked as second most devastating flood after July 2010 flood.

i. Supper Flood (July 2010):
Pakistan experienced the worst floods in its history over the course of the
Monsoons. In July 2010, heavy rainfall was a result of interaction of Westerly andMonsoon systems over Pakistan, producing record precipitation 528mm at
Mianwali and 471mm at Saidu Sharif. Pakistan received 70.5% above normal
rainfall in the month of July which caused flash flooding and riverine flooding inseveral parts of the country resulting into loss of life, property and widespread
displacement throughout country. At one point an area greater than that of Britain
was under water.

All provinces (Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh &Balochistan) including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir badly affected.
The floods destroyed homes, crops, and infrastructure and left millions vulnerable
to malnutrition and waterborne disease. The Pakistani economy was harmed byextensive damage to infrastructure and crops. Total economic impact may havebeen as much as US$ 43 billion. Damages and losses includes death of 1,985
x people, injury of 2,946 x people and damage to 1,602,765 x houses, 6673 x
WSS, 10,192 x educational facilities, 146 x industries, 2085.4 x thousand-acre
crop area. The flood left behind around 20.3 million population affected and1,509,600 x cattle perished.

***********

7

4. Evolution of Disaster Management System in Pakistan:Prior to 2005, the West Pakistan National Calamities Act of 1958 was the available
legal remedy that regulated the maintenance and restoration of order in areas
affected by calamities and relief against such calamities. An Emergency Relief Cellwithin the Cabinet Division has been serving since 1971 as an institutional disaster
relief support at the national level. Similar institutional arrangements existed at theprovincial level in the form of relief commissioners. However, that regime provided areactive approach towards emergency response only.

The 2005 earthquake, in particular, exposed weaknesses of the government and civilsociety to cope with natural disasters. Losses from this earthquake were considerablyhigh and can be attributed to the non-observance of building bye-laws or poorbuilding practices.
Realizing the importance of disaster risk reduction for sustainable social, economicand environmental development, the Government of Pakistan had embarked uponestablishing appropriate

policy,

legal

and

institutional arrangements,

implementing strategies and programs to minimize risks and vulnerabilities.
8andSubsequently,

the

National

DisasterManagement(NDM)

Ordnance

was

promulgated in December 2006 which became NDM Act in 2010 with the approval of
the Parliament in 2010. This Act serves as the primary law of the land in the field of
disaster management and to implement the law, National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) was created under National Disaster Management Commission(NDMC). Similar arrangements were enacted in the four provinces, FATA, GB andAJ&K. The creation of National Disaster Management Commission understewardship of the Prime Minister, and its executive organ National Disaster
Management Authority ushered an across the board transformation of the national
perspective about the subject of DRM.

4.1. Disaster Management Regime in Pakistan:
Under the NDM Act 2010, a three tier disaster management regime has been
adopted; National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as focal point at federal
level, the Provincial / Regional Disaster Management Authorities(PDMAs) are thefocal point for DRM endeavors in respective provinces and District Disaster
Management Authorities(DDMA) on the district levels. The NDM Act 2010 elaborated
following components of the system: a. National Disaster Management Commission(NDMC)
b. National Disaster Management Authority(NDMA)c. Provincial Disaster Commission(PDMC)
d. Provincial Disaster Management Authorities(PDMAs)
e. District Disaster Management Authorities(DDMAs)
f. National Institute of Disaster Management(NIDM)
g. Obligation of Federal and Provincial Governments in case ofh. disaster.
i.

Establishment of National / Provincial Fund for Disaster Management (N/PDMF).

94.2. Structure of Disaster Management:

4.2.1. NDMC
The National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) headed by prime ministerhas been established for the formulation of overall policies & guidelines etc. atnational level while Provincial Disaster, Management Commission (PDMC) headedby the chief minister of respective province at provincial level. Chairman NDMA and
Director General PDMA will act as secretary of the commission at federal andprovincial level respectively. The NDMC is consist of following members: a. The Prime Minister of Pakistan - the Chairperson, ex officiob. Leader of Opposition in the Senatec. Leader of Opposition in the National Assemblyd. Minister for Defensee. Minister for Healthf. Minister for Foreign Affairs
g. Minister for Social Welfare and Special Educationh. Minister for Communicationsi.

Minister for Finance10j.

Minister for Interiork. Governor NWFP (for FATA)l.

Chief Ministers of all the Provinces

m. Prime Minister, AJ&K
n. Chief Executive, Northern Areaso. Chairman, JCSC or his nominee; andp. Representatives of civil society or any other person appointed by the Prime
Minister.
The Chairperson of the National Commission shall preside over the meetings of the
National Commission. The Federal Government shall provide the National
Commission with such officers, consultants and employees, as it considers
necessary for carrying out its functions. Powers and functions of National
Commission includes but not limited to: a. lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.
b. approve the National Plan.
c. approve plans prepared by the Ministries or Divisions of the Federal Governmentin accordance with the National Plan.
d. arrange for, and oversee, the provision of funds for the purpose of mitigation
measures, preparedness and response.
e. provide such support to other countries affected by major disasters as Federal
Government may determine; andf. Take such other measures for the prevention of disaster, or the mitigation, or for
preparedness and capacity building for dealing with disaster situation as it may
consider necessary.

4.2.2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA):
At federal level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is established.
The power of the Authority includes to: a. act as the implementing, coordinating and monitoring body for disastermanagement;b. prepare the National Plan to be approved by the National Commission;c. implement coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National policy;
11

d. lay down guidelines for preparing disaster management plans by different
Ministries or Departments and the Provincial Authorities;
e. provide necessary technical assistance to the Provincial Governments and theProvincial Authorities for preparing their disaster management plans inaccordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Commission;f. coordinate response in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster;g. Lay down guidelines for, or give directions to the concerned Ministries orProvincial Governments and the Provincial Authorities regarding measures to betaken by them in response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster;h. for any specific purpose or for general assistance requisition the services of any
person and such person shall be a co-opted member and exercise such power as
conferred upon him by the Authority in in writing.

Present Organogram of NDMA

12

4.2.3. Provincial Disaster Management Authorities(PDMAs):
Provincial Authority is established at each province including region of Gilgit Baltistan
and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The Provincial Authorities under the Act have following
powers and functions: a. Responsible for implementing policies and plans for disaster management in theProvince.
b. Formulate the provincial disaster management policy obtaining the approval of
the Provincial Commission;c. Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy, National Planand Provincial Plan.
d. Examine the vulnerability of different parts of the Province to different disasters
and specify prevention or mitigation measures.
e. Lay down guidelines to be followed for preparation of disaster management plansby the Provincial Departments and District Authorities.
f. Evaluate preparedness at all governmental or non-governmental levels to
respond to disaster and to enhance preparedness.
g. Coordinate response in the event of disaster.
h. Give directions to any Provincial department or authority regarding actions to betaken in response to disaster.
i.

Promote general education, awareness and community training in this regard.

j.

Provide necessary technical assistance or give advice to district authorities andlocal authorities for conveying out their functions effectively.

k. Advise the Provincial Government regarding all financial matters in relation todisaster management.
l.

Examine the construction in the area and if it is of the opinion that the standards
laid down has not been followed may direct the same to secure compliance ofsuch standards.

m. Ensure that communication systems are in order and disaster management drills
are being carried out regularly; andn. Perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the National or Provincial
Authority.
13

4.2.4. District Disaster Management Authority(DDMA):
As per NDM Act 2010, each Provincial Government shall establish a District Disaster
Management Authority (DMA) for every district. The District Authority shall consist ofsuch number of members, as may be prescribed by the Provincial Government, andunless the rules otherwise provide, it shall consist of the following members, namely:a. Nazim of the District who shall be Chairperson, ex officio;
b. the District Coordination Officer;c. the District Police Officer, ex-officio;
d. the Executive District Officer Health; ande. such other district level officers, to be appointed by the District Government.
The District Authority shall act as the district planning, coordinating and implementing
body for disaster management and take all measures for the purposes of disastermanagement in the district in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the
National Authority and the Provincial Authority. The District Authority is mandated to:a. prepare a disaster management plan including district response plan for the
district;
b. coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National Policy, Provincial
Policy, National Plan, Provincial Plan and District Plan;c. ensure that the areas in the district vulnerable to disasters are identified andmeasures for the prevention of disasters and the mitigation of its effects areundertaken by the departments of the Government at the district level as well as
by the local authorities;
d. ensure that the guidelines for prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response
measures as laid down by the National Authority and the Provincial Authority arefollowed by all departments of the Government at the district level and the local
authorities in the district;e. give directions to different authorities at the district level and local authorities totake such other measures for the prevention or mitigation of disasters as may benecessary;

14

f. lay down guidelines for preparation of disaster management plans by thedepartments of the Government at the districts level and local authorities in the
district;
g. monitor the implementation of disaster management plans prepared by the
Departments of the government at the district level;h. lay down guidelines to be followed by the Departments of the Government at the
district level;i.

organize and coordinate specialized training programs for different levels of
officers, employees and voluntary rescue workers in the district;j.

facilitate community training and awareness programs for prevention of disasteror mitigation with the support of local authorities, governmental and nongovernmental organizations;k. set up, maintain, review and upgrade the mechanism for early warnings anddissemination of proper information to public;l.

prepare, review and update district level response plan and guidelines;

m. coordinate with, and give guidelines to, local authorities in the district to ensurethat pre-disaster and post-disaster management activities in the district are
carried out promptly and effectively;
n. review development plans prepared by the Departments of the Government at the
district level, statutory authorities or local authorities with a view to makenecessary provisions therein for prevention of disaster or mitigation;o. identify buildings and places which could, in the event of disaster situation be used
as relief centers or camps and make arrangements for water supply and sanitationin such buildings or places;
p. establish stockpiles of relief and rescue materials or ensure preparedness tomake such materials available at a short notice;q. provide information to the Provincial Authority relating to different aspects ofdisaster management;r. encourage the involvement of non-governmental organizations and voluntarysocial-welfare institutions working at the grassroots level in the district for disastermanagement;15

s. ensure communication systems are in order, and disaster management drills arecarried out periodically; andt. perform such other functions as the Provincial Government or Provincial authority
may assign to it or as it deems necessary.
The Act has also delegated an additional power to District Authorities, like forthe purpose of assisting, protecting or providing relief to the community, in responseto any disaster, the District Authority may: a. give directions for the release and use of resources available with any departmentof the Government and the local authority in the district;b. control and restrict vehicular traffic to, from and within, the vulnerable or affected
area;
c. control and restrict the entry of any person into, his movement within anddeparture from, a vulnerable or affected area;d. remove debris, conduct search and carry out rescue operations;e. provide shelter, food, drinking water and essential provisions, healthcare andservices;
f. establish emergency communication systems in the affected area;
g. make arrangements for the disposal of the unclaimed dead bodies;
h. direct any Department of the Government of the Province any authority or bodyunder that Government at the district level to take such measures as arenecessary in its opinion;i.

require experts and consultants in the relevant fields to advise and assist as it
may deem necessary;j.

procure exclusive or preferential use of amenities from any authority or person;

k. construct temporary bridges or other necessary structures and demolishstructures which may be hazardous to public or aggravate the effects of thedisaster.
*********

16

5.

Key Federal Ministries / Departments:

5.1. Federal Ministries: As per National Disaster Management Plan(NDMP), thefollowing federal ministries shall take measures for the purpose of disastermanagement:a. Ministry of Communications
b. Ministry of Defencec. Ministry of Climate Changed. Ministry of Economic Affairs and Statistics
e. Ministry of Finance and Revenue, Planning and Development
f. Ministry of Food Security and Researchg. Ministry of Foreign Affairsh. Ministry of Housing and Worksi. Ministry of Human Rights
j. Ministry of Industries
k. Ministry of Information and Broadcastingl. Ministry of Information and Technology
m. Ministry of Interiorn. Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairso. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources
p. Ministry of Ports and Shipping
q. Ministry of Railways
r. Ministry of Regulations and Servicess. Ministry of Science and Technology
t. Ministry of Water and Power5.2. Federal Departments and Authorities: As per National Disaster Management
Plan(NDMP), the following departments and authorities shall take measures for the
purpose of disaster management:a. Capital Development Authority
b. Civil Aviation Authority
c. Civil Defence
d. Coast Guard
17

e. Federal Flood Commission (FFC)
f. Fire Fighting Services
g. Geological Survey of Pakistan
h. National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC)
i. National Highway Authority (NHA)
j. National Housing Authority
k. National Logistics Cell (NLC)
l. Pakistan Armed Forces
m. Pakistan Housing Authority
n. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)o. Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW)
p. Pakistan Public Works Department
q. Pakistan Railways
r. Police (including Levis and Khasadar in FATA)
s. Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO)
t. Survey of Pakistan
u. Traffic Police
v. Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
The roles and responsibilities of each federal department and/or authority during
pre-disaster, emergency response, and post-disaster phase are well elaborated in the
Appendix-II of main volume of the National Disaster Management Plan(NDMP).

6.

COUNTRY DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT STATUS
In the aftermath of Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2005, a need was felt to develop a
proactive framework of action to mitigate damages and losses due to mega disasters
world over. The World leaders agreed on a 10-year Hyogo Framework for Action(HFA) in a Conference held at Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, in January 2005 under the
auspices of United Nations. HFA was signed by 168 nations including Pakistan,committing to implement the five priorities during 2005-2015 to meet overall objectiveof “Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters”. HFA wassucceeded by the Sendai Framework for DRR and adopted by member states in June18

2015. This framework has four key priority areas with seven (07) targets for risk
reduction.
Pakistan due to its diverse topographic and demographic settings is vulnerable to ahost of natural and human-induced hazards. Hydro-meteorological disasters in the
country, mostly induced by climate change and variability, have become moreunpredictable with a significant increase in their frequency and intensity. The economic
and social losses caused by these disasters in Pakistan run into billions of dollars,bearing a negative impact on our socio-economic indicators. This situation warranted
adoption of a workable policy for disaster risk management and associated capacity
building measures. Though, Pakistan, over the years, has achieved a significant
progress over disaster, however, the journey still requires sustainable efforts andcontribution from all concerned in all fields.
Owing to the international framework on DRR, many DRR relevant programs andprojects have been developed through a participatory process thereby enhancing thecollaboration among all sectors and stakeholders in the implementation and monitoringof DRM. Following paras will highlight the journey: -6.1. DRR – A paradigm shift
In a paradigm shift, the work on DRR was initiated as under: Ser

Policy Document
National Disaster Riska.

Management
Framework(2007-12)

Outcomes
Framework defined roles and responsibilities of key
stakeholders

in

implementation

management

policies

while

of

disasterrevolvingaroundobjectives of the globally agreed Hyogo Framework
for Action
A Country-wide DRM Needs Report was formulated

DRMb.

Needs through a consultative process which subsequently

Assessment Report - assisted in formulating respective policies and plans
2011

to cater to the national and provincial DRM
requirements.

19

The

process

helpedNDMA

inpreparing a Country-wide DRM Needs Report thatlater helped in formulating respective policies andplan to cater to the national and provincial DRM
requirements.
c.

Throughaparticipatory

approach

and

wider

consultations with relevant stakeholders including all
provinces, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Policy was formulated which was approved in 4th
MeetingNational Disaster Risk
Reduction(DRR)

Policy 2011of

National

DisasterManagement

Commission (NDMC) under the Chairmanship of thePrime Minister of Pakistan. This policy covers
implementation of DRR measures in a holistic way
and is premised on proactive and anticipatory
approach towards DRM by laying special emphasis
on risk assessment. The DRR policy seeks topromote priority measures for existing vulnerability tohazards, and ensures that future development
initiatives add resilience.

6.1.1. National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP 2012 – 2022):
Under the DRR policy parameters and in-line with the provision of NDM Act 2010,
NDMA also formulated a prospective ten years’ National Disaster Management Plan(NDMP 2012-22) and got it approved by the NDMC in its meeting held on 21st
February, 2013. The Plan covers the complete spectrum of disasters including pre,during & post disaster phases, aims at steering the institutional and technical directionof disaster risk management in Pakistan in accordance with national requirements
while also fully complying with international frameworks on DRR and DRM. NDMP costlayout and interventions are: a. Interventions-

10b. Strategies-

41c. Projects

-

118

20

d. Cost
Original. 1040 Million USD (Based on estimates of 2013).
Revised. 2040 Million USD (after finalization of NFPP-IV).
e.

Timeframe-

10 Years (2013-22)

6.1.2. NDMP Implementation Road Map:
In October 2015, NDMA launched the Implementation Roadmap 2016-2030 ofPakistan’s National Disaster Management Plan. The Implementation Roadmap
focused on following four domains: a. Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (MHVRA) of entire Country to draw therisk atlas up to lowest tier i.e. City (Urban) and Village (Rural) level.
b. Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) up to Union Council Level(inclusive of all constituents of Union Council).
c. Capacity Building (CB): (1)Government Officers Emergency Response Exercise(GOERE).

(2)

Mobilization of local Volunteers Emergency Response Exercise (MOVERE).

(3)

Other Capacity Building activities for Government Officials.

d. Awareness and Advocacy about entire spectrum of disaster management.

6.1.3. A focused and phased approach, based on priority of vulnerable districts is being
pursued in execution of the NDMP implementation Roadmap, for which
comprehensive parameters have been followed. The districts have been divided inthree phases based their risk profile and vulnerability, the timeframe and target
number of districts for each phase also varies based on priority and needs. Sequelto this 39, 55 & 63 districts to be covered during 1st,2nd and 3rd phase respectively.

6.1.4. All Projects/Interventions strictly observe the implementation guidelines which were
formulated for standardizing the implementation process. All project interventions are
executed as per standard guidelines to ensure uniformity of parameters, optimal
utilization of resources and bring about synergy among efforts undertaken in the fieldof Disaster Management.

21

6.1.5. The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) has a close linkage with the
National Climate Change Policy. The NDMP interventions 3,4 & 7 are aligned with
Policy Measures 4.7 a – b, 4.7d-h,4.7 j-o of intervention 4.7 (Disaster Preparedness)of National Climate Change Policy.

6.2. Country DRM Status Report:
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR) sets theoutcome of “Substantial Reduction of Disaster Risk and Losses”, to bemeasured against seven global targets that are both quantitative and qualitative,
against the baseline of the 2005-2015 period. The subsequent report mainly reflects
on the status of DRM in Pakistan during the period 2005-2015. This report has beendeveloped based on desk reviews, National HFA reports, progress reports and data
gathered from NDMP implementation roadmap monitoring.

6.2.1. Country’s Disaster Risk Profilea. With more than 185 million inhabitants in 2014, Pakistan is the sixth mostpopulous country in the world. Pakistan has a diverse landscape spread over ninemajor ecological zones.
b. It’s territory encompasses portions of the Himalayan, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram
mountain ranges, Inter-mountain valleys make up most of the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Province and rugged plateaus cover much of Balochistan in thewest. In the east are located irrigated plains that lie along the River Indus andcover much of Punjab and Sindh. Both provinces also have desert areas of
Cholistan and Thar in Punjab and Tharparkar in Sindh. The country’s main riveris the Indus and its three tributaries are the Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum. The
Arabian Sea marks Pakistan’s southern boundary.
c. The country’s population is concentrated in the eastern provinces of Punjab andSindh, which contain 78.6 percent of the total population.
d. The agricultural sector is the mainstay of Pakistan's economy.
e. Pakistan due to its diverse topographic and demographic settings, is vulnerable
to a number of natural and human-induced hazards. Hydro-meteorologicaldisasters in the country, mostly induced by climate change & variability have not22

only become more unpredictable but both their frequency and intensity haveincreased significantly.
f. Pakistan’s exposure to natural hazards and disasters could be ranked between
moderate to severe. A range of natural hazards including earthquakes, droughts,
floods, landslides, avalanches, cyclones/storms, tsunami, glacial lake outburst
floods (GLOFs) and extensive river erosion are the hazards that threaten Pakistan
throughout the year.
g. In addition, a variety of human induced hazards also loom over the society,economy and environment. For example, industrial, chemical and transport
accidents, oil spills, urban fires and civil conflicts. High priority hazards from theperspective of disaster risk reduction include flooding, earthquakes, landslides
and droughts which may inflict severe socio-economic damages.
h. Due to climatic and topographical diversity, every province and region faces adiverse range of hazards (Global Climate Risk Index 2016 Annex C).

6.2.2. Disaster Risk and Losses 2005-2015:
Natural hazards in Pakistan originate mostly from meteorological phenomena.
Weather-related hazards account for approximately 76 % of the total number ofnatural disasters recorded between 1980 and 2013, with floods (riverine flooding andflash floods) accounting for 46 percent of all hazards. Earthquakes and floods1 occur
more frequently and are respectively expected to hit annually, up to three times ayear. It must be mentioned that only two drought events were recorded in theInternational Disaster Database (EM-DAT) during the last two decades to date. The
economic and social losses caused by these disasters in Pakistan run into billions ofdollars. In the Fiscal Risk Assessment Options for Consideration, A Study by WorldBank and GFDRR, 2015 the annual economic impact due to disasters runs into US$
1.2 – 1.8 billion equivalent to between 0.5 % and 0.8 % of national GDP; however
simulations show that a major flood event (occurring, on average, once every 100
years) could cause losses in excess of US$ 15.5 billion, which equates to around 7% of national GDP, equivalent to almost 40 % of the Federal Budget. In terms of

1

Riverine, coastal, flashfloods, GLOFs, floods induced by storm surges

23

overall economic damages, the proportional impact of riverine flooding is still larger.
The earthquake share in terms of the total damages reaches 21%, including asignificant effect of 2005 earthquake.

6.2.3. SFDRR Priority 1 (Understanding Disaster Risks)a. National and Local Risk Assessments(1) Institutional Commitment has been attained through identification of National
Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment as one of the priority areas in the
National Disaster Risk Management Framework, 2007 and National DRR
Policy.
(2) Macro level National Multi - Hazard and Risk Assessment has been carried out
with the technical assistance of JICA and Japanese technical experts during
formulation of National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
(3) In accordance with intervention 3 of National Disaster Management Plan, adetailed Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MHVRA) pilot
project was also carried out in Sindh province in 2013, with the financial supportof WFP and technical support of Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)Bangkok and a national consulting firm M/s Network of Disaster Management
Practitioners (NDMP)-Islamabad. The study was done on two different scales,
one at Macro level covering whole Sindh Province and other was at Micro level
scale with focus on five selected districts (Thatta, Badin, Tando Mohammad
Khan, Tando Allah Yar and Mir Pur Khas).
(4) Multi Hazards & Risk Assessment Study of five districts of Punjab (Multan,
Jhang, Bahawalpur, R.Y.Khan & Khanewal) completed covering complete
spectrum of hazards and vulnerabilities.
(5) In order to consolidate the work already done and being done, NDMA
constituted a National Working Group (NWG) on Vulnerability and Risk
Assessment to coordinate all activities related to vulnerability & risk
assessment and to provide strategic guidance. In addition, the NWG on RA is
also supposed to ensure consistency in methodologies employed for risk
assessments, uniformity in data format during collection process, andcoordination.
24

b. Collection, analysis, management and use of disaggregated data andinformation:(1) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has been continuously
striving to address the needs of vulnerable groups.
(2) Collection and management of disaggregated data has been a foremost
priority and an initiative on segregation of important demographic parametersof the top 25 most vulnerable and hazard prone districts, as per NDMP
Implementation Roadmap has already been completed.
(3) The data and demographic statistics of the study areas have been presented
in the form of a Disaggregated Data Atlas containing visualization charts,
maps, info-graphs, index charts and tables. The objective of the initiative is toprovide a better understanding of population dynamics with specific focus onvulnerable groups.
c. Disaster Education and Awareness:

Efforts have been made in creatingawareness in the communities through: (1)8th October has been notified as National Disaster Awareness Day since year
2015.

(2)

Active Social Media presence established across multiple platforms.

(3)

Rich Library on Public Service Messages established.

(4)

Dynamic website with Global viewership and Alerting Capability is put in place.

(5)

Disaster Maps Portal for making all spatial data available to the public on
Disaster Risks and Vulnerabilities(6)

A comprehensive NDMA Documentary on Disaster Management Developedin 2016.

(7)

Child centered and gender sensitive IEC material designed for all potential
hazards, emergencies and disasters.

(8)

Conduct of pre, during and post disaster Media Campaigns.

(9)

Conduct of National and provincial level Media Training Workshops on
responsible media reporting during disasters at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad
and Peshawar during 2016.

25

(10) Development of documentary highlighting issues of vulnerable groups
specially children in DRR/M.
(11) Development of Radio program on child centered DRR/M.
(12) NDMA signed various collaterals with National Universities which will enable
NDMA to benefit from their technical and non-technical capabilities andresources. Such collaborations include signing of MoU with Institute of SpaceTechnology and NED University of Engineering and Technology.
(13) A complete social media constellation is formed, maintained and promoted toinclude a dedicated channel on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and Flickr
Accounts.
(14) Integration of DRR Component in Academic Curricula is being pursued.
(15) Recognition of Bachelor and Master Level Program on DM by Higher
Education Commission (HEC) has been done.
d. Develop, update periodically and disseminate location-based disaster risk
information:(1) NDMA has recently launched an effective system of early warning for the local
communities in close coordination with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority(PTA) and involvement of telecommunication industry. The SMS based Early
Warning System for communities was tested for the first time in 2014 (6 million
SMS generated) during the floods. This system was further improved in 2015.
Approximately 52.2 million messages were generated in 2015. After 26 th
October 2015 Earthquake, NDMA had issued 15 Public Service Messages(PSMs) to the population of Malakand Division and Bajaur Agency throughSMS alerts.
(2) Pakistan Radio and Television with further outreach effectively used as part of
information campaign.
(3) For making early warning and dissemination timely and effective and financially
viable, National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) has included acomprehensive and exclusive Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS)
Plan, with an indicative financial overly of US$ 188 million. The Plan includes
upgradation of existing radar stations, developing linkages between national
26

and regional disaster management authorities etc.
e. Disaster Loss Accounting at National and Local Levels:(1) A system of standardized situation report mechanism with detailed reporting at
all levels has been established to ensure uniformity and better reporting
standards.
(2) Multi Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) tool has been developed incollaboration with UNOCHA conforming with the local requirements. This tool
was used in 2015 and is being refined further.
(3) National Guidelines on ex gratia compensation and damage assessment are
being prepared in consultation with the Provinces.
(4) Indigenous system of damage assessment has been put in place andeffectively practiced in Earthquake of 2015, ensuring face paced and affective
early recovery within 8 weeks.
f. Regional/trans-boundary risks:
Water emerged as a major reason of contention between Pakistan and India, as
the partition of British India in 1947 led to division of the Indus River Basin. India
emerged as an upper riparian with control over the canal head works that supplied
water to vast lands which became part of Pakistan.
(1) Given the current trend of global warming and climate change, water insecurity
in the basin has heightened, resulting in Trans-boundary risks for Pakistan.
(2) Pakistan being lower riparian state is at a higher risk of floods arising out of
extreme weather events especially riverine floods.
(3) Information exchange mechanism with India is constantly being improved.
(4) Efforts are being made to institutionalize trans-border early warning
mechanism and information sharing of hydro metrological data with India andAfghanistan.
(5) Establishment of weather early warning between Pakistan Metrological andother Metrological departments of the region as per protocols of WMO.

6.2.4. SFDRR Priority 2 - Strengthen Disaster Risk Governance to Manage
Disaster Risk:
27

a. Legislative and Regulatory Framework Related to DRR:
The National Disaster Management Act, 2010 has been enacted by the National
Parliament, based on which Disaster Management System at National, Provincial
and District level has been established. The Act now provides legal framework forfunctioning of the existing disaster management system in Pakistan at all levels.
National Disaster Management Rules have also been drafted which are presently
undergoing consultative process before their formal approval and adoption fromthe relevant forums and authorities. The Rules will further explain and elaborate
various provisions of the NDM Act, 2010 and lay down standards and proceduresas required under the Act, to be followed by all stakeholders in the disastermanagement system of the Country. Some of the related regulatory frame work
are: (1)National Disaster Management Act enacted in 2010.

(2)

National Disaster Risk Management Framework (2007-12).

(3)

DRM Needs Report formulated through consultative process in 2012,(4)

National DRR Policy formulated in 2012.

(5)

National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) formulated in 2013.

(6)

Act of enforcement of Building Codes in final stages.

(7)

Draft River Act is ready as part of National Flood Protection Plan IV.

(8)

National Fire and Life Safety Codes under process of notification.

b. Institutional framework(1) The National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) is the apex national
forum to make policies in the field of disaster management. Sectoral
representation has been ensured through ministerial membership from eachkey sector, along with representation from the civil society. Thus the policy
formation mechanism defined under the existing system is clearly based on amulti-sectoral approach.
(2) The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) acts as the secretariat/ executive arm of the Commission. It also provides policy input to the NDMC.
The policy input so generated is based on multi-stakeholder consultation
processes being arranged from the platform of the NDMA.
28

(3) Similar arrangements have also been made at the Provincial levels by
establishing Provincial Disaster Management Commissions (PDMCs), headedby their respective Chief Ministers and Provincial / Regional Disaster
Management Authorities have also been established.
(4) Moreover, District Disaster Management Authorities have been establishedsome of the districts and have been strengthened in capacity to deal withdisaster management activities at the local levels. The DDMAs are required toframe policies and plans on disaster management relevant to local needs.
Powers have been delegated to DDMAs to mobilize resources at the local
levels to deal with disasters or threatening emergency situations. In addition,
roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in pre-disaster, during
disaster and post-disaster phases have clearly been laid out in the National
Disaster Management Plan.
(5) In addition to above, at Federal level, Emergency Relief Cell has been mergedwith NDMA.
(6) NDMP Implementation Steering Committee has been formed with a dedicatedUnit within NDMA.
(7) Gender & Child Cells have been established at National & Provincial Level.
(8) Concept paper for a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is being
prepared for approval.
(9) National & Provincial Working Groups have been established and functioning
on Mainstreaming DRR.
(10) Chairman NDMA has also been entrusted with additionalcharge ofEarthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA).
(11) Emergency Service Rescue 1122 has been established as a district andProvincial Emergency Service which is functional in all Provinces except one
where it is in process of being raised.
c. Policy environment and list of key policies related to DRR(1) National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy, outlining Country’s DRR
objectives and priorities was approved by the National Disaster Management
Commission in February, 2013.
29

(2) In line with the policy parameters, a 10 year (2012-2021) National Disaster
Management Plan for was formulated and approved by the NDMC. The plan,
which covers the complete spectrum of disasters including: pre, during & postdisaster phases, aims at steering the institutional and technical direction ofdisaster risk management in Pakistan.
(3) Gender being an important cross cutting theme in development, is also apriority for NDMA. In this regard, NDMA also established a gender and childcell in 2010 and have already formulated the gender and child cell framework,
leading to formulation of National Policy Guidelines on Vulnerable Groups inDisaster (Aged, Disabled, Women, Children).
(4) In the context of mainstreaming, a key development has been theincorporation of DRR checklist as an integral part of the Pakistan’s public
sector development project proposal format i.e PC-I, ensuring DRR
mainstreaming in each new project before its approval by the highest planningforum for implementation. Some other key policies formulated are: (a) Disaster Risk Management Needs Assessment Report 2012.
(b) NDMA Guidelines for the Persons Affected by Natural and Manmade
Disasters.
(c) Implementation Framework on the National Policy Guidelines.
(d) Pakistan School Safety Framework developed and being piloted.
(e) MHVRA Implementation Guidelines and Policy formulated.
(f) Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) Guidelines(g) Development of Media & Communication Strategy.
d. Accountability Mechanisms(1) National Disaster Management Act 2010 defines following Clause foraccountability: Clause 34:

Whoever knowing makes a claim which he knows or has reason

to believe to be false for obtaining any relief or assistance for relief,
reconstruction or other benefits consequent to disaster from any officer of theFederal Government, Provincial Government, National Authority, Provincial
Authority or District Authority shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term30

which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
The subject clause was affectively invoked in the aftermath of 2015 Earthquake.
(2) Foreffective

implementation

of

the

NDMP,

NDMA

launched

theaforementioned NDMP Implementation Road Map on 19th October, 2015
wherein all implementing partners including relevant government ministries/
departments/agencies and development partners participated. In addition,
NDMA also notified the Steering Committee responsible for Implementation of
NDMP, in November 2014.
(3) NDMA Steering Committee oversees all sensitive studies and development ofrelated DRR polices, scrutinizes and approves all MHRA.
(4) Monitoring of all interventions by NDMA and PDMAs for quality assessment
and sustainability is done.
(5) Periodical Coordination Conferences of all stake holders for transparency,
accounting and strengthening coordination is done.

6.2.5. SFDRR Priority 3 -Invest in DRR for resilience:a. National, Local and Sectoral Budget Allocation for DRR(1) Dedicated funds for DRR exist in the form of President's Relief Fund, PM's
Disaster Relief Fund.
(2) National Disaster Management Fund also exists to deal with specificemergency situations with similar funds at Provincial levels.
(3) Pakistan Fund for Disaster Management has been established with the supportof Asian Development Bank (ADB) with an initial seed money of USD 1 M(spread over 10 years). The major part of the fund will be used for DRR.
(a) Early Warning System (EWS).
(b) Flood mitigation.
(c) Enhanced Annual budget of NDMA.
(d) NFPP IV with a cost estimate of USD 1707.60 M is with Council of Common
Interest.
(4) Modernization of Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) for a sum of USD
190 M is in the process of approval.
(5) The provincial governments have provided dedicated funds to the Provincial
31

Disaster Management Authorities in their annual budgets besides allocating
special grants for emergency response during these years.
(6) Efforts are underway for regular annual allocations for disaster management in
the budgeting system at provincial and district levels, for implementation of
public sector development program on DRR. The National DRR Policy also
recommends that a separate and dedicated budget line for disaster risk
reduction be created at federal, provincial and district tiers.
b. Disaster risk transfer and insurance, risk sharing and retention andfinancial protection mechanisms(1) NDMA is working in close collaboration with Lead Pakistan / CDKN on
designing an initiative on Disaster Risk Insurance mechanism for vulnerable
and marginalized communities. A pilot project on Disaster Risk Insurance isunder consideration which is the first initiative of its kind in the region.
(2) Demand study for Fiscal Disaster Risk Assessment Provision has been
completed and pilot project is to commence shortly.
(3) A Mature Citizen Damage Compensation program exists after experience ofEarthquake 2005 and Floods 2010/2011.
(4) A National Guideline is being developed in collaboration with UNOCHA.
c. Policies, Plans and Investments to Reduce Risk in Key Development
Sectors(1) In view of increased frequency of natural disasters, NDMA is working on
updating the building codes of Pakistan, which will later be followed byincreased advocacy on implementation of building codes for safer construction.
Safer construction practices have been widely followed in the region affectedby Earthquake 2005 as part of the reconstruction process.

Pakistan

Engineering council (PEC) has developed the following major national codes:(a) Building code of Pakistan (Seismic Provison-2007)(b) Building code of Pakistan (energy provisons-2011)(c) Pakistan Electric and telecommunication safety code (2014)(2) The National Building Code is now being revised which will soon be circulated
for enforcement. Currently, implementation of existing building codes remains
32

a challenge. Enactment of building codes is also being pursued throughlegislation terming violation of building codes as a criminal offence.
(3) National Fire & Life Safety Codes have also been formulated with thecollaboration of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).
(4) Environmental Impact Assessments has been made mandatory for all public
sector projects.
(5) Compliance checklist has been made mandatory for mainstreaming DRR intodevelopment, planning and public sector projects.
(6) Annual monsoon contingency plans are prepared every year based on theemerging weather patterns.

6.2.6. SFDRR Priority IV - Enhance disaster preparedness for effective
response and to “Build Back Better”:
a. Disaster preparedness and Contingency Policies, Plans, Relief Funds andCapacity for Preparedness and Response(1) The contingency and response planning process undertaken since 2007 has
now been reformed with a view to conduct planning on bottoms up approach,involving relevant stakeholders at district levels.
(2) Every year, the National Disaster Management Authority, keeping in view themultifaceted challenges of climate change and corresponding resources
available, launches a vigorous campaign of awareness raising and a provincial
level broad based consultation process. These consultations are aimed atcreating an understanding for multi-hazard contingency planning process withspecific focus on Monsoon Contingency Plan. These consultations also havecomponents for identification of DRM needs at provincial and regional level for
focused policy interventions to redress the key concerns.
(3) The NDMA in collaboration with all provinces and regions undertakes annual
monsoon preparedness and contingency planning which results in formulationof provincial and National Contingency Plans.

NDMA also developed a

National Monsoon Contingency Response Directive for 2015.
(4) Similarly, NDMA has already formulated contingency plans for different
33hazards, such as: (a) Contingency Plans
i. National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP), 2010
ii. Annual Monsoon Contingency Plans, 2010-2016iii. Draft National Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, 2015
iv. Cyclone Contingency Plan for Karachi – 2008
v. Nuclear Emergency Management Plan
vi. National Plan for Industrial / Technical Disasters
vii. National Maritime Disaster Contingency Plan(b) SOPs
i.

SOPs on Separated, Unaccompanied and Missing Children in Disasters

ii. SOPs for Emergencies (Urdu)iii. SOP for Air Crash Handlingiv. Minimum Cash Compensation Package
c. Training Manuali.

Training Manual on Gender Mainstreaming in Disaster, 2014.

ii. Trainer Manual Child Protection in Emergencies.
iii. Guidelines and training manuals for MHVRA.
iv. Comprehensive National Guidelines for School Safety.
d. Studies / Reportsi.

Study on the impacts and future line of action relating to, June 2015 Heat
Wave in Karachi, Sindh.

ii. Causes and Prevalence of Early and Forced Marriages in Disasters,
2014.
iii. Report on Gender, Climate Change & Disasters- 2014.
iv. Disaggregated Data Atlas according to age, gender and disability
developed.
v. Gender Task Force mapping study.
vi. Qualitative study on the Needs and Concerns of Vulnerable Groups
during disasters.
(5) Capability exists to support over 0.3 Million people across the Country by
34

NDMA over and above respective Provincial capability.21000 M Tons stocking
capability of NFIs has been developed and standardized inventory for all
regions procured.
(6) Country wide elaborate Warehouse Network have been established withsupport of WFP including 6 Strategic Humanitarian Response Facilities and 51
Flospans. Each warehouse complex has number of sheds, administered inbuilding boundary wall and backup generator. Once functional, thesewarehouses

will

ensureeffective

disaster

responseby

up-scaling

preparedness level with respect to stocking piling of emergency relief goods.
This would facilitate field coordination and easy access to the disaster prone
communities.
(7) About 6500 persons were trained in 164 Courses through National Institute ofDisaster Management from 2010 to 2016.
(8) National Disaster Management Simulation Exercises were conducted in year
2014 and 2015 with the support of WFP. Initially the exercise was conducted
as a pilot project for 3 districts of Punjab. This exercise was instrumental inenhancing the capacity of different stakeholders in understanding andpracticing various aspects of disaster management, such as early warning
planning, coordination, and/ managing response for urban relocation, camp
management, logistics needs and damage assessment.

On successful

completion of the above exercise, a country wide Disaster Management
Simulation Exercise was also organized in 2015.
(9) There are plans to run a Regional Scale Simulation Exercise in January 2017.
(10) An Earthquake Mock Drill at regional scale has beenplanned for 2016

through UNESCO(11) A National Industrial Mock Exercise was held in 2010 and then again March2016. A third exercise is planned in January 2017.
(12) NDMA participated in South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise(SAADMEX) held at New Delhi, India with a team of professionals.
(13) Government Official Emergency Response Exercise (GOERE) was
conducted all across the Country in 2016 and there are plans to continue with35

the same in 2017 also.
(14) Six modern Urban Search & Rescue Teams have been raised in the country
and are functional.
b. Early Warning Systems(1) NDMP identifies short, medium and long term interventions for effective multihazard early warning system with special focus on hydro-meteorological andclimate induced disasters. The multi-hazard early warning system plancontains an exclusive investment of Rs. 50 billion for flood control on countrywide basis.
(2) Based on identified priorities, NDMA and Pakistan Meteorological Department(PMD) have initiated the process to replace the existing radar stations at
Karachi and Islamabad. The objectives of the projects are to improve PMD’s
capabilities

inmeteorologicalobservation,

weather

forecastinganddissemination of forecasts & warnings. Weather radar at Karachi would also
provide concise information on cyclone development 60-72 hours ahead of its
actual development.
(3) Automatic weather stations are being installed with support of UNESCO for
remote area data collection.
(4) Flash Flood Guidance System are being established through World
Meteorological Organization for effective flashflood forecasting using satellite
data. The system is currently under testing by the PMD.
(5) Tsunami Early Warning System has been established under overall control of
PMD in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan with master station at
Gwadar. Tsunami simulation exercise has also been completed by the PMD.
(6) Formulation of SOP’s for cyclone early warning has also been completed by
the PMD.
(7) Training for seismic data collection and tide gauge maintenance has also been
imparted.
(8) PMD’s medium range forecasting capability has been enhanced by NDMA
during the Monsoon season-2015 through acquisition of European center ofMedium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) product.
36

(9) With the support of Government of Japan, a Rainfall River Flow-Inundation
Model has been developed for western (Indus) river for improved flow
forecasting.
(10) Early warning messages using SMS broadcast, disseminated in 2015 to flood
affected communities in selected districts of Punjab and Sindh. System being
institutionalized with the assistance of PTA and collaboration of cellularcompanies.
c. Planning for Post Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction(1) NDMA issued guidelines for integrating DRR into post disaster recovery andreconstruction efforts. The guidelines suggest the following measures: (a) Vulnerability assessment of public and community buildings, particularly
schools and hospitals in hazard-prone areas.
(b) Promoting hazard resilient construction of new buildings keeping in view thehazard profile of the areas.
(c) Implementing of disaster preparedness plans for hazard prone areas.
(d) Training and capacity building of first responders, through CBDRM
Programs.
(e) Promoting the use of hazard risk information in land-use planning andzonation.
(f) Promoting the increased use of hazard-resilient designs in rural housing inhazard-prone areas.
(g) Utilization of national building codes, compliance and enforcement of local
building laws in urban hazard- prone areas.
(h) Promoting programs of contingency crop planning; crop diversification.
(i) Incorporating flexible repayment schedules into microfinance schemes.
(j) Support for community-driven processes and networks of protection that
activate and build on local groups and resources.

6.3. International Cooperation:(1) Bilateral & Regional Linkages: NDMA has been instrumental in extending andstrengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach through establishment of various
bilateral and multilateral linkages for collaboration in the field of DRR, which37

includes: (a) Bilateral Linkages
Ser

Country

Statusi.

Republic of Korea

Signed in Se[ 2012

ii.

TurkeySigned in Dec 2013

iii.

Sri Lanka

Signed in April 2015

iv.

Kyrgyz Republic

Signed in May 2015v.

Republic of Cuba

Approved in Dec 2015vi.

Kazakhstan

Under Processvii.

Afghanistan

Under Process

viii.

Bangladesh

Under Processix.

ICHARM- Japan

Under Processx.

Azerbaijan

Under Process

xi.

China

Under Process(b) Regional Linkagesi.

Regional Consultative Committee on Disaster Management (RCC).
Pakistan hosted the 13th RCC meeting in collaboration with MoFA and ADPC.

ii. Heart of Asia Istanbul Process (HOA, DM-CBM). 3rd Meeting of RTG washeld on 14th May, 2014 in Islamabad and 4 th Meeting of RTG was alsoorganized on 8th September, 2015 in Islamabad.
iii. SAARC Disaster Management Center (SDMC). Pakistan has offered tohost SAARC Environment & Disaster Management Center (SEDMC) with themerger of existing SAARC Meteorological Research Center, SAARC Forestry
Center, SAARC Coastal Zone Management Center and SDMC.
iv. Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC). Supporting OIC in Disaster
Management.
v. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). NDMA enjoys a very closeworking relations with ADPC. A case in point is the joint hosting of the 13 th
RCC in Pakistan.
vi. Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC).

NDMA, being counterpart

organization, enjoys a very close working relations with ADRC.
38

6.4. Key issues, challenges and priorities for Sendai Framework
Implementation
a. Implementation of Road map of National Disaster Management Planb. Micro level risk assessment of entire countryc. Enhancing medium to long range weather forecasting capability
d. Financial constraints versus enhanced vulnerability
e. More collaborative partnership with Development Entities at National level.
f. Capacity and resource enhancement of DM institutions especially at Provincial anddistrict level.
g. Capacity enhancement of PDMAs and DDMAs.
h. Enhance resilient capacity of communities through Advocacy and Awareness.
i.

Enhance regional and international linkages for DRR.

j.

Integration of Youth, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides in Disaster Management anddevise a National Volunteer Network.

k. Strengthening and developing National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
on permanent footing.
l.

Expansion of Emergency Response Service (Rescue1122) network in the country.

m. Establish donor’s budget line forDisaster Risk Reduction instead ofrelief/humanitarian assistance.
n. Simulation exercises to improve response and capacity of disaster managers.
o. Robust regional based logistics system for immediate response.
p. Effective implementation of Activity plan under Heart of Asia process.
q. Implementation of Road Map for HoA countries.
r. Enhanced Regional and International Linkages for DRR.
s. Sharing Research, Knowledge & Best Practices - Regional & Global scale.
t. Disaster Risk Insurance Framework.
u. Foster private sector investment by formulating mechanism for disaster risk
transfer and insurance.
v. Revisit National Disaster Contingency & Response Plan.
w. Integrating the monitoring of SFDRR in national systems.

39

7.

ADRC Counterpart
a. From National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Name: Maj. Gen. Asghar Nawaz, HI ( M)
Designation: Chairman
Office# +92 51 9222373, +92 51 9212444, PASCOMS: 35491
Fax# +92 51 9205086
Email Address: chairman@ndma.gov.pk

b. From Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)
Name: Dr. Ghulam Rasul
Designation: Director General, Met. Services, Islamabad
Office# +92 51 9250367
Fax# +92 51 9250368
Email Address: rasul@pmd.gov.pk , rasulpmd@gmail.com
Postal Address: Pakistan Meteorological Department, Headquarters Office Sector
H-8/2 Islamabad, Pakistan
Postal Address: Prime Minister’s Office, 2nd Floor Sector G-5-1, Constitution
Avenue, Islamabad, Pakistan. Post Code 44000.

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8.

References / Useful Links:
a. Official website of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),Government ofPakistan; http: // www.ndma.gov.pk.
b. National

DisasterManagement

Act

2010,

GovernmentofPakistan;

NDMA

GovernmentofPakistan;

http://www.ndma.gov.pk/files/NDMA-Act.pdf
c. National

DisasterManagement

Plan,

http://www.ndma.gov.pk/plans/NDMP-Main%20Vol.pdf
d. Pakistan Climate Change Policy / http://nidm.edu.pk/Documents/
Policies/National_Climate_Change_Policy_2012.pdf
e. Official website of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission(SUPARCO); http:// www.suparco.gov.pk.
f. Official

websiteofPakistan

Meteorological

Department(PMD);

http://www.pmd.gov.pk.
g. Official website of Federal Flood Commission, Government ofPakistan;

http://www.ffc.gov.pk.
h. Official website of Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA), Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, http://www.pdma.gov.pk/
i.

Official website of Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA) Punjab/
http://pdma.gop.pk/

j.

Official website of Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA) Sindh/http://www.pdma.gos.pk/new/k. Official website of Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA) Balochistan /http://pdma.gob.pk/
l. Official website of FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA)/
http://www.fdma.gov.pk/
m. Official website of Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA)/
http://www.gbdma.gog.pk/
n. Official website of State Disaster Management Authority(SDMA), AJ&K /http://sdmagok.pk/
o. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction / http://www.unisdr.org/files/43291_sendaiframeworkfordrren.pdf
p. Official website of the Asian Disaster Reduction Center, Government of Japan//ttp://www.adrc.asia.
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