Natural disasters cause human tragedy, crippling economic losses and hamper development, particularly in developing countries, where many people reside in buildings and areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters. These catastrophes cannot be averted but various pre-emptive measures can be adopted to lessen the impact and consequent loss of lives and property.

The disaster management denotes the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation in order to lessen the impact of disaster.
After the massive October 2005 earthquake, Government of Pakistan established the National Disaster Management Authority at the Federal level and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities to provide concentrated relief efforts at Provincial level. Under the supervision of Government of the Punjab, PDMA works closely with government departments both at federal and provincial levels, the armed forces, UN agencies, and development partners to mobilize, receive, and deploy relief goods and also to devise proactive disaster response plans.

Here at Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab, our endeavor is to reduce the effects of natural disasters, and human losses in particular, and to ensure resilience building and disaster risk management in multi-disciplinary ways.

Team PDMA is working tirelessly along diverse themes such as preparedness, response, restoration and rehabilitation, co-ordination, command and control, rapid risk and damage assessment, medical and Para-medical teams, arrangements for drinking water and nourishment, setting up temporary shelters, ensuring gender sensitivity, environment, Infrastructure, Health, Psycho-social issues and Climate change adaptation in mitigation, risk reduction, recovery, and rehabilitation. The focus is now shifting from reactive approach to deal with disaster risks, adapting mitigation measures and resilience building efforts in a proactive manner.

It gives me immense pleasure to mention our successfully implemented relief operations in the wake of the floods of 2010, 2011 and 2012 and 2014. Moreover, provision of financial assistance through Flood Emergency Cash Transfer Programme (Watan Card), establishment of model villages in flood affected areas, and Khadim e Punjab Imdadi Package (KPIP) have been landmark campaigns.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all PDMA employees, members of the concerned line departments, development partners and most of all the people of Punjab for their unconditional support and encouragement in fortifying our efforts towards securing lives and livelihoods.