Express Tribune News Network, the

Pakistan is no stranger to earthquakes. The most recent was the 40th in the country’s history and one of the most powerful ones, reports the Express Tribune. The authorities have, however, failed to devise proper disaster prevention protocols. Senator Humayun Mandokhail lamented the lack of any new natural disaster management policy. 'We must create awareness among masses about surviving natural disasters,' he said. 'We can minimise losses by forcing people to follow building control instructions'...

'If melting of glaciers in the country’s north, which are vital to sustainability of country’s agro-based economy, picks up pace then water flow in rivers will increase and can lead to devastating floods in the coming years,' warned Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan in a press statement issued in Islamabad on Sunday...

'The heightened vulnerability to disasters is due to the growing population, urbanisation and development within high risk zones, environmental degradation, and above all, climate change'...

The donation given to the World Food Programme will support disaster risk reduction and livelihood activities. 'These activities, bringing multiple short-term and long-terms benefits for the affected communities, ultimately contribute to the household food security and are linked to a detailed multi-hazard risk analysis and community engagement'...

Disaster risk reduction should be incorporated in planning processes at every administrative tier, echoed speakers' thoughts at a national forum on geosciences and disaster risk reduction. But first, reports The Express Tribune, the country has to first compile disaster vulnerability assessments, coordinate its scientific research efforts and create a general awareness among administrators...

The 2012 National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy that was formulated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) some two years ago has not yet been implemented due to financial constraints, shared Ahmed Kamal, an NDMA DRR member, while speaking at the 10th International Safety and Security Exhibition and Conference, reports the Express Tribune. NDMA commits to make policies, and announces new diploma and degree courses in the future...

Natural Disaster Management Authority Chairman Major General Muhammad Saeed Aleem said that more needed to be invested in early warning systems and trickling it down to grass root level to effectively respond to such catastrophes...

The policy provides a framework for coping with the threats of climate change through adaptation and mitigation measures and includes measures such as flood forecasting warning systems. 'The goal is to ensure that climate change is mainstreamed in the economically and socially vulnerable sectors of the economy and to steer Pakistan towards climate resilient development'...