US diplomat attends PDMA event

LAHORE: An awareness conference on preventing natural disasters was organised by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and private organisations at a local hotel. Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique attended the conference as a special guest.

US Consul General in Lahore Kristen K. Hawkins, senior member of the Board of Revenue, and director general of PDMA also participated. The purpose of the conference was to discuss relief measures before the flood season. There was a lively discussion on measures to deal with natural disasters in collaboration with the government and NGOs. Representatives of international organisations shared their experiences with the Punjab government. In his address, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique emphasised that the Punjab government aims to increase cooperation with international NGOs. He stated that by benefiting from the experiences of NGOs, they will implement beneficial measures for the people. Khawaja Salman Rafique highlighted that PDMA is taking innovative steps to protect people from natural calamities. He also stressed the importance of global collaboration in solving global problems.He congratulated PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Khan and his team for organising the conference. Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed mentioned that the combination of PDMA’s working methods and the knowledge of NGOs will benefit the people. He emphasised that the Punjab government will benefit from global experiences in dealing with natural disasters.PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia informed the conference participants about PDMA’s operations. He said that, following the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PDMA is prepared to deal with monsoon rains and potential flood situations.

He said that preparations regarding “risk reduction” have been accelerated under the chief minister’s vision. This conference, the first of its kind in Punjab, facilitated discussions on local issues with international organisations. US Consul General in Lahore, Kristen K. Hawkins, remarked that Pakistan is among the countries affected by climate change and emphasised that coping with climate change is possible through cooperation. She thanked PDMA Punjab for organising the conference, noting that no country can cope with natural calamities alone.