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Islamabad, October 22, 2015 (PPI-OT): As part of the organisation’s efforts, Director Operations, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) John Ging visited Pakistan and Afghanistan from 2-7 October 2015. During his visit to Pakistan Mr. John Ging along with Mr. Neil Buhne (UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator designate for Pakistan) and his team also paid visit to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at PM Office on 6 October 2015.
It was a very rewarding discourse of both sides in which Chairman NDMA, Major General Asghar Nawaz highlighted the complete perspective of disaster management system in Pakistan, future vision and priorities. The meeting ended on a very positive note pertinent to which Mr. John Ging on his follow up press conference in New York gave overwhelming appreciation to NDMA Pakistan “as a world class institution over the last decade, incorporating international best practice.”
The same news appeared on International Express Tribune with the International New York Times, the self explanatory statement is enclosed. On his return during a press conference in New York, The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) lauded efforts of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), saying that “The country also disproportionately suffers the impacts of climate change, with 1.6 million people affected by floods this year.” Mr. Ging noted that Pakistan’s National Disaster Management. Agency has developed into a world class institution over the last decade, incorporating international best practice.”
Mr. John Ging called for renewed international commitment to address urgent humanitarian needs and shore up regional peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the two countries were on very different humanitarian trajectories.
Mr. Ging also visited Peshawar in northern Pakistan, where 600,000 people displaced by fighting since 2008 have returned to their villages this year. The Government of Pakistan has shown strong leadership in this operation, giving more than $286 million in food and cash to support families returning to areas devastated by conflict. Reflecting on the international responsibility to support Pakistan, John Ging said, “We must acknowledge that Pakistan generously hosts more than 1.5 million refugees – the second largest refugee population of any country on earth.
“In a world where so many crises are on a negative trajectory, Pakistan offers an all too rare example of positive progress,” said Mr. Ging. “Supporting the Government to help people rebuild their lives in areas where fighting has ended is critical to building a stable and prosperous future for the country.”
It is because of NDMA enhanced role in the disaster management that the authority has won the attraction of the prestigious world body, the United Nations and its office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Today, we stand reassured and strengthened after the previous experiences of natural catastrophes of flood, earthquake and landslides to meet any untoward situation.
For more information, contact:
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Prime Minister’s Office, 2nd Floor,
Sector G-5-1, Constitution Avenue,
Post Code 44000, Islamabad
UAN: +92-51-111-157-157
Tel: +92-51-9205037
Fax: +92-51-9205086
Email: info@ndma.gov.pk
Website: www.ndma.gov.pk