National Disaster Management Authority (Pakistan)
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 17, 2007 |
| Preceding | |
| Jurisdiction | Constitution of Pakistan |
| Headquarters | Islamabad |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www |
National Disaster Management Authority (Acronym NDMA), is an autonomous and constitutionally established federal authority mandated to deal with whole spectrum of disasters and their management in the country.[1]
The NDMA formulate and enforces national disaster policies at federal and provisional levels and collaborated closely with various government ministries, military forces, and United Nations-based organizations to jointly coordinate efforts to conduct its disaster management, search and rescue, and wide range of humanitarian operations in the country and abroad. The NDMA aims to develop sustainable operational capacity and professional competence to undertake its humanitarian operations at its full capacity.[1]
Codified under the Article 89(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the institution is chaired by the appointed chairman, either civilian or military officer, and directly reports to the Prime Minister of Pakistan as its chief operations coordinator. As of present, the institution is currently chaired by Major-General Saeed Aleem of Pakistan Army as its appointed chairman.[2]
Operational scope and constitutional definition
The functions and duties are defined and set by the Constitution of Pakistan in Article 239I in Chapter1. The Commission charged with the following duties:
- To act as the implementing, coordinating and monitoring body for disaster management;[3]
- To prepare the National Plan to be approved and implement coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National policy;[3]
- To provide necessary technical assistance to the Provincial Governments and the Provincial Authorities for preparing their disaster management plans in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the National Commission;[3]
- To coordinate response in the event of any threatening disaster situation
or disaster[3]
The President may, except when the [Senate or] National Assembly is in session, if satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action, make and promulgate an Ordinance, as the circumstances may require.
— Article 81(1): Ordinances; Part-III, Chapter:2 The Parliament, source: The Constitution of Pakistan[4]
Nepal earthquake relief controversy
The National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan sent aid and personnel to Nepal after the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. Four Lockheed C-130 planes with a 30-bed hospital, 2,000 military meals, 600 blankets, 200 tents, and other assorted relief items. Military emergency personnel including army doctors, medical staff and National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan's special search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs. The supplies sent by Pakistan to Nepal included beef masala, which created controversy because since Nepal is a Hindu majority country where cattle are revered and cow slaughter is banned.[5][6][7]
Government sources
- ^ a b Press. "NDMA".
- ^ "Chairman of NDMA". Chairman. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Codification of NDMA by Constitution". Govt. Pakistan. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
- ^ "Chapter 2:Parliament". Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ 'We did not touch the Pakistani aid': Quake-struck Nepal launches inquiry as Pakistan sends 'beef masala' to country where cow slaughter is banned http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-3061416/We-did-not-touch-Pakistani-aid-Quake-struck-Nepal-launches-inquiry-Pakistan-sends-beef-masala-country-cow-slaughter-banned.html#ixzz3Yndewp5L
- ^ Pakistan Denies Sending Beef Products to Nepal Earthquake Survivors
- ^ Pakistan sends 'beef masala' packets to Hindu majority Nepal