Immediately following the tragedy, CDA instituted a plan to establish an emergency preparedness and disaster management system by synthesizing internal and external resources for swift and coordinated action. This initiative will provide a window to a range of stakeholders, including other government line departments, donors, non-governmental agencies and the citizens of ICT for improving operational readiness in unforeseen emergencies and natural calamities.

It is for the first time that an effort has been made by CDA to develop a comprehensive ‘Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Plan’. This plan will be institutionalized through the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), envisaged by CDA, which will work as a subsidiary of the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA). OEM aims to equip fire fighters with skills that will not only enable them to respond to fire incidents with state of the art tools and techniques, but will also help them serve as specialized rescue & relief teams in crisis situations and disasters. CDA aims to fully establish the OEM within the next 2-3 years. Through this programme more than 500 fire fighters will be extensively trained. Leading national and international experts will be brought together in order to introduce and streamline cutting-edge techniques in disaster management. Furthermore, linkages will be developed with specialized institutions in the region and world-wide for capacity building, research, development, and support. A network of national institutions and mandated bodies will be put in place for coordination in disaster situations. Moreover, through this programme, management systems and procedures will be introduced for improving the overall operational efficiency of CDA for emergency response and disaster management.

The coordinating agency - LEAD Pakistan - a premiere capacity building organization has expertise in training, research and project management in the rural and urban development context. LEAD Pakistan’s mission is to create, strengthen, and support networks of people and institutions promoting change towards sustainable development – development that is economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially equitable. The organization aims is to influence service delivery and poverty alleviation through developing and implementing leadership and capability enhancement programmes throughout the country. LEAD Pakistan enters this long-term partnership in order to expand the network of institutions called upon during emergency situations, introduce the structural planning necessary to activate effective responses, train specialized teams, develop information/knowledge sharing systems, and work with the community at large to create better awareness of the steps and precautions to observe in preparation of- and during crises situations. Other research and development initiatives relevant to the areas of operation of CDA will also be initiated in order to improve service delivery. Activities under this programme will initially roll-out with financial support from CDA, whereas long-term financial resources will be mobilized through seeking support from international development funding agencies.

… Include statements by Mr. Kamran Lashari (Chairman, CDA) and Mr. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh (CEO, LEAD Pakistan)…