Oct 27 , 2015
News
Govt sets up Crisis Management Cell to coordinate relief, rescue activities
ISLAMABAD: A Crisis Management Cell was established at the Prime Minister House to coordinate with all federal civil, military and provincial agencies for damage assessment, rescue, relief and recovery operations.
PM Office Joint Secretary Kazim Niaz would head the cell, established on the directives of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, according to a PM House statement. The cell would work round the clock, it added.
The prime minister has directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmed to immediately mobilise tribal administration for relief, rescue and damage assessment. He also directed Gilgit Baltistan governor to immediately reach Gilgit to take charge of the relief and rescue operation.
Earlier, the federal government also called back NDMA chairman immediately from foreign tour to effectively coordinate relief operation. Capital Development Authority has also dispatched a unit of its five sniffer dogs and trainers to KP through NDMA to detect the lives from the rubble, wherever needed. The PM said that no stone should be left unturned to provide all kinds of assistance in this regard.
Later, on directives of Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar, Health director general convened a high level emergency meeting. High alert was issued to all provincial health departments to ensure sufficient medical stocks in hospitals and cancel leave of all hospital staff immediately.
The minister directed National Health Emergency Response Cell to provide all possible assistance to the said departments and relief agencies. The minister asked World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Islamabad to stand by for any assistance to the health departments and other relief agencies.
Meanwhile the NDMA has established a help line number 111-157-157 to provide information to masses regarding earthquake. SUPARCO has been asked to provide satellite images to analyse the extent of damages. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also been requested to restore the communication networks so immediate information could be shared with departments concerned.
The NDMA has also requested people to stay alert and share information for early initiation of rescue and relief activities in affected areas.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk