Pakistan is vulnerable to hazards of multiple nature and their frequent recurrence in recent years has significantly hampered our goal of sustained economic growth by causing massive losses to lives and property. Floods have been more frequent and damaging with substantial negative effect on our economy.
Although disaster management system is still in its nascent stage, yet we have made progress in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development processes, which will lead to greater resilience against potential disasters. Formulation of National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and implementation of National Disaster Management Plan which includes strengthening of flood protection and early warning systems, is likely to significantly reduce flood risk.
Keeping in view the changing climatic conditions and frequent recurrence of unpredictable and extreme weather events during the monsoon season, it is critical that relevant stakeholders, particularly at the district level, are fully prepared to handle potential disaster situation. The monsoon contingency planning process has accordingly been executed through a bottom up approach whereby the district level authorities of flood prone districts, through the provincial governments, were assisted in undertaking their hazards and risk analysis, identify their needs, plan effective deployment of available resources and prepare their Contingency Plans for likely scenarios keeping in view the available long term seasonal weather forecasts. On the basis of provincial plans, NDMA has finalized the National Plan in consultation with all stakeholders, which will provide national response back up against situations which appear to be getting beyond Provincial/ Regional capacity.