PM urges UN for provision of early warning system to Pakistan for pre-emption of natural disasters
ISLAMABAD, Oct 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday urged the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction for the provision of early warning system to Pakistan to pre-empt the damages of any future natural disaster. He added that it would help the government to reduce loss of human lives, property and infrastructure to a great deal. The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Margareta Wahistrom, Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction here at the PM House on Thursday. Gilani welcomed the United Nation’s assistance for better preparedness to face disasters that would definitely contribute to decrease risks to the lives and properties of the people.
The Prime Minister highly appreciated the assistance of UN and its Organizations during the Earthquake of 2005, the floods of 2010 and now in (2011) the rain affected areas of Sindh.
 He welcomed the offer of the UN for training of the school teachers, medics, met department officials and flood commission officials in the disaster risk reduction techniques to make them prepared for any future natural calamity.
 The Prime Minister informed the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative that the government was planning the realignment of canals, retrieving of encroached escape routes and other measures to remove the blockade of the water courses to smoothen their flows.
 Ms. Margareta Wahistrom assured that the UN was ready to impart training to the officials of various institutions in Pakistan which can play an effective role in the control of disaster risk in case of natural calamity.
 She said that the UN would provide assistance in raising awareness, capacity building including human and financial assistance, provision of sustainability of livelihoods in post disaster phase and rebuilding and rehabilitation.
 She further informed that the United Nations has already launched a flash appeal for US $ 357 million for the flood affected people of Sindh.
 The Special Representative on disaster risk reduction apprised the Prime Minister that the United Nations had identified 900 cities in the world of which 35 are from Pakistan for launching the projects to make them better prepared to disaster risk reduction.
 She said in this regard practical steps would soon be taken and Islamabad has been identified as first model city.
 The meeting was also attended by UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Timo Pakhala, MNAs, Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Mrs. Asma Arbab Alamgir and senior UN and government officials.