ISLAMABAD: The high-level United States delegation visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad, where both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in disaster preparedness, response, and mitigation.
The delegation, which was led by the US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, included representatives from the U.S. Central Command and Disaster Response Group. Ivana Vuko, Disaster Expert for Asia at the U.S. Department of State, along with her team, also participated in the two-day consultative meetings held at the NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
In this regard, discussions focused on joint efforts to address the challenges posed by natural disasters and the increasing impacts of climate change in the region.
The agenda also included the exchange of technical expertise, advanced early warning systems, and capacity-building measures to strengthen Pakistan’s disaster resilience.
Furthermore, the Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik briefed the visiting delegation on the authority’s operational framework, institutional capacity, and regional cooperation mechanisms.
He mentioned the progress made in deploying modern technology for search and rescue operations, the development of flood forecasting and early warning systems, and Pakistan’s engagement in international disaster preparedness exercises.
The US side appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in building a robust disaster management structure.
Moreover, Lieutenant General Patrick Frank commended NDMA’s proactive role and the critical function of the NEOC in coordinating disaster response.
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He stressed that joint exercises and capacity-building programs between Pakistan and the United States would further enhance preparedness and resilience against natural calamities.
