Disaster reduction possible through community participation:DG Rescue

Lahore: In order to commemorate the International Disaster Reduction Day, Rescue 1122 organized a special function in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and PDMA at Emergency Services Academy, Lahore on Saturday.

The Director General, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Dr Rizwan Naseer while addressing the rescuers from all the Districts of Punjab and other provinces asked them to ensure disaster reduction through community participation to create disaster resilient communities.

He said the International Day for Disaster Reduction is a day to celebrate how people and communities are reducing their risk to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of DRR.

He further said, “Today, the citizens of Pakistan have been provided with the basic right to timely emergency care by Rescue 1122,  in case of accidents, emergencies and disasters”. After achieving the target of saving lives, it was the mission of Rescue 1122 to change minds so that we could promote a culture of safety where the loss of life and property due to accidents, fires, and disasters can be prevented.

In this regard, Rescue 1122 has launched several programs in order to create awareness about the importance of disaster reduction, as this day encourages every citizen and government to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations.

At the end of the ceremony, a special dua was offered by all rescuers to remember the victims of October 2005 Earthquake, floods victims, and victims of the recent back-to-back fire incidents, which took place in Lahore and Karachi.