PESHAWAR, Mar 4 (APP): Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Major General Asghar Nawaz has underlined the importance of media in providing first hand information and awareness to the people and concern authorities to take precautionary measures well before or after any disaster.
He said this in a workshop on reporting disaster “An all inclusive approach” arranged by Mediations Unicef in a local hotel on Saturday.
He said that media is playing an outstanding role in creating and shaping of public opinion and strengthening of society.
He said that media has played very important role in reshaping and changing the people in the country so it is the responsibility of media to highlight those issues which are good for public and save their lives from any incident.
Deputy Director NDMA Major Ayub during his presentation said that Pakistan has been in a long standing battle with disasters. He said that thousands of people were killed during disasters from 2005 to 2016 in the country.
He said that December 16 is commemorated for the victims of Army Public School attack in 2014, National Disaster Management Authority moves forward in the final phase of its pilot program for School Safety.
Pakistan School safety Framework pilot program aims to implement school safety in all schools of Pakistan in order to prepare effectively against natural or man-made hazards he said.
He said that the government of Pakistan provides cash and financial assistance to the population of calamity hit area for early recovery and rehabilitation which were handled by NDMA.
According to brochure of NDMA, major relief rendered to the disaster effectees from 2006 to 2016 which were including 2.40 million tents, nine million blankets, 600,000 tons food packs, 300,000 plastic mats 396,000 mosquito nets and others.
Director Centre for Disater Preparedness and Management (CDPM) University of Peshawar Professor Dr Noor Jahan also appreciated the role of media in providing information regarding any disaster.