Pakistan: Signing of agreement for institutional support to NDMA, WFP-NDMA Joint Annual Work plan 2015
Islamabad - National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is striving to build and strengthen institutional capacity under the three-tiered institutional set-up for Disaster Management (established by the Disaster Management Act) through the implementation of National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
In this regard today a Letter of Agreement (LOA) was signed between National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the World Food Program (WFP) on ‘Institutional Support to NDMA for Implementation of the National Disaster Management Plan in Pakistan’ – under 2015-WFP Work Plan.
The signing ceremony was held at NDMA. Chairman NDMA (Major General Asghar Nawaz) and Ms. Lola Castro (WFP Country Representative/Director to Pakistan) signed the LOA in the presence of representatives from WFP and senior NDMA officials. The Project shall be implemented through WFP funding.
The key purpose of the project is to establish and refine existing processes related to disaster management, strengthening coordination, knowledge management as well as building capacities of personnel and communities through technical, financial assistance and training.
NDMA will work closely with WFP and other UN agencies through the Project. The Project activities will be carried out through the DRR wing of the NDMA.
Important components of the project include Technical Support to NDMA for strengthening multi- hazard vulnerability & risk assessment and mapping; Strengthening Capacities for disaster preparedness and response and Highlighting NDMA’s role in Media through Education & Awareness and DRR Advocacy.
Chairman NDMA welcomed the WFP team and lauded WFP for its continuous support and assistance in various capacity building efforts towards DRR, disaster preparedness and building up disaster management institutions in Pakistan. He urged continuation of support from WFP and other development partners to shoulder NDMA in its efforts to implement various DRM related activities under the spirit of DRR priority and National Disaster Management Plan.
Ms. Lola Castro also appreciated NDMA for the endeavors made in the field of disaster management and expressed the hope that successful implementation of Annual Work plan- 2015 in coordination with NDMA will be beneficial to further strengthen and enhance existing level of preparedness and response to cope with disasters like situation in future.