Afghan-Pak officials discussed natural disaster management cooperation, challenges

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Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) officials are on a 3-day-long visit to Pakistan as part of the drive to discuss disaster management experiences, mutual cooperation and other related issues with Pak authorities, officials said Tuesday. ANDMA Director General, Dr. Daim Kakar, along with members of his delegation during the trip had meeting with chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the Prime Minister’s Office. The Afghan delegation is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan as a state guest on a visit, which is part of the approved activity plan identified under the Heart of Asia (HoA) Confidence Building Measure (CBM) in the field of disaster management. It merits mentioning here that Pakistan is a co-lead along with Kazakhstan on Disaster Management CBM working through Istanbul Process and pursuing its effective implementation. Pak-NDMA Chairman Major General, Muhammad Saeed Aleem, extended warm welcome to Afghan NDMA director general and his delegation on their arrival at NDMA, Pakistan. The Afghan delegation was given a detailed briefing on the disaster context and evolution of disaster management system in Pakistan. The Afghan delegation also briefed NDMA about their disaster management system and the challenges they are confronted with while tackling both natural and manmade disasters. Dr. Lais Mustafa (Technical Advisor ANDMA) also briefed NDMA officials on the ANDMA’s mandate and all affairs related to disaster and emergency response in Afghanistan including development, monitoring and execution of policy, strategies and planning for disaster management. He added that ANDMA is an active member of Saarc and ECO Disaster Management Centre. He highlighted Istanbul Process as a vital initiative and appreciated countries under that initiative for showing interest in supporting Afghanistan. He added that this is an open option for countries of the region to assist Afghanistan under the disaster management —CBM initiative by assisting in the establishment of disaster management institute.