An awareness conference “How to prevent natural disasters” was organised by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and private organisations in Lahore, on July 23.
The conference amid to discuss relief measures ahead of the flood season.
Provincial Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique was a special guest at the conference, with US Consul General Lahore Kristen K Hawkins, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Emergency Services Department Dr Rizwan Naseer and the DG PDMA also in attendance.
Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government wanted to increase cooperation with international NGOs.
“We are benefiting from the experiences of NGOs. We will take beneficial measures for the public of Punjab,” he said adding that the PDMA was taking innovative measures to protect people from natural calamities.
Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed said that the nexus of the working methods of the PDMA and knowledge of NGOs would be beneficial for people.
The experience of dealing with natural disasters all over the world would benefit the Punjab government, he added.
He said that according to the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the PDMA was working to deal with monsoon rains and possible flood situations.
The preparations regarding “Risk Reduction” had been accelerated, he added and said that for the first time in the history of Punjab, such a conference has been organised in which local issues were discussed with international organisations.