National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) March 2010 - NDMA

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MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN NDMA
The world has been witnessing a surge in the incidence of disasters over the years.
The sweep covers natural events such as earthquakes, floods and cyclones as well as induced ones
like oil spills, aviation/rail/marine transport mishaps, infrastructure failures, conflict-driven human
displacements, industrial/technical accidents and conflagrations. Since inception, Pakistan has also
suffered devastation on different occasions including loss of 73,000 precious lives and economic
assets worth US $ 5.2 Billion in the destructive October, 2005 NWFP/AJ&K Earthquake.
The creation of National Disaster Management Commission under stewardship of the
Prime Minister, and its executive organ National Disaster Management Authority, ushered in an
across the board transformation of the national perspective about the subject. A planned
re-orientation of all stakeholders heralded the much-needed evolution of legal frameworks,
administrative arrangements, organizational structures and financial outlays to achieve desired
Disaster Risk Management goals.
The National Disaster Management Authority has formulated a National Disaster
Response Plan (NDRP) after extensive cross-sectoral consultations. NDRP seeks to upgrade the
country’s ability to cope with all conceivable disasters. To achieve this purpose, complete range of
disaster management activities from preparedness to response has been addressed. The formulation
outlines a framework for emergency response at different levels of the government structure; identifies
roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, and lays down coordination mechanism for activities
involving the United Nations, INGOs / NGOs, civil society organizations, public & private sectors and
media to harness the full national potential for efficient disaster management.
The efficacy of any response being dependent on its currency, the NDRP needs to be
kept relevant through regular updation. Towards this end, NDMA will welcome suggestions for
improvement.
I wish success to all engaged in disaster response initiatives.
Lt General Farooq Ahmad Khan (Retd)
Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority