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The seminar on "Being prepared for Tsunamis and similar
disasters, no matter how remote the chances" was organized by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library,
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PPF seminar"Being prepared for Tsunamis and similar disasters, no matter how remote the chances"
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Date: |
January 6, 2005. |
Location: |
Karachi |
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The seminar on"Being prepared for Tsunamis and similar disasters,no matter how remote the chances" was organized by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library,Press Center Karachi,on Thursday January 6, 2005.
Mr Arif Mahmood,Chief Meteorologist,Pakistan Meteorological Department;CaptainMuhammad Amjad, Captain of PNS Tariq, the Pakistan Navy ship that had participated in the rescue and assistance operations in the Tsaunami hit areas;Mr Raza Samad, President, Pakistan Aquatic Life Savings (PALS); Capt (R) Ashfaq Agha , CEO, PALS and Ex Commanding Officer, PNS Himalaya and Mr. Kahlid Khatri, Assistant Director, Civil Defence Department, Government of Sindh addressed the seminar.
Pakistan Navy, Meteorological Department and Civil Defence Officials at the seminar called for preparing a comprehensive disaster management plan with emphasis on
installation of latest and sophisticated early warning systems to face any possible tsunami-catastrophe like situation in Pakistan.They also stressed for setting up a national escue/emergency center in the country, holding regular drills as part of disaster management plan besides formation of a national committee for initiating coordinated efforts in the wake of any emergency or
natural disaster.
Experts feared that if tsunami-tidal waves of that intensity which hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and other countries around India sea, had hit Pakistani coasts, we could have suffered major losses as Karachi and other coastal cities of Pakistan were located nearly at sea level.
Speaking on the occasion, Captain Muhammad Amjad, commanding officer of PNS Tariq, which participated in relief operations in Maldives after tsunami catastrophe, told that Pakistan Navy officials learnt a lot by helping Moldavian government and people in the wake of tidal waves disaster."On our return after undertaking relief operation in the Indian sea, we submitted our report to Naval authorities while we also apprised people through media of our ctivities" he said adding that early warnings of such disasters could help a lot in preventing loss
of human lives and properties.
He said concerned agencies and departments should start
preparation of a comprehensive disaster management plan, set up national rescue/emergency cell and train people to face any possible natural calamity. Captain Amjad further stressed for educating and creating awareness among masses besides hoarding of food, clothes, medicines and medical equipment to deal with any emergency in the country.
Giving details of rescue mission undertaken by Pakistan Navy officials in Maldives, he said Pakistan Navy helped Moldavian government in evacuating stranded people, provision of relief goods to far flung islands and identifying worst hit areas by launching aerial reconnaissance missions.
Chief Meteorologist Karachi Arif Mahmood in his address argued that although
Pakistan had most sophisticated earthquake measuring equipment, which could observe earthquake of any intensity any where in the world, forecast of earthquakes and tsunamis could be made.
He informed that Pakistan Meteorological Department was preparing an early warning system in collaboration with Iran, India, Sri Lanka and other regional countries for forecasting about tropical cyclones in the sea and in the wake of tsunami-catastrophe in Indian sea, it would also take steps towards that direction.
Khalid Khatri, an official of Civil Defence Department of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) deplored that most people living in Karachi and adjoining areas were unaware of nature of precautionary measures and steps to be taken in the wake of any emergency or natural calamity.
"The most important step towards preparation of any emergency was creation of awareness among masses. Majority of our people don't know what to do in case of any emergency" he said adding that people should be given basic and specialized training to help themselves
and others in the wake of tsunami-like situations.
He said although a disaster management plan was prepared by CDGK but it was yet to be given approval and adding called for holding exercises and training of masses to face any mishap.
Captain (rtd) Ashfaq Agha,CEO Pakistan Aquatic Life Savings (PALS) in his presentation on role of NGOs in disaster management,said NGOs could play an important role in preparing communities for disaster management by providing them education and apprising them of precautionary measures.
He suggested people from all walks of life including political leaders, elected representatives, traders, teachers and students should be made ready to participate in coordinated relief efforts in case of any natural calamity or disaster.
Agha said no community in Pakistan was "disaster proof" and in order to prevent and lower loss of lives and properties, they should be given awareness and training to meet any emergency.
Raza Samad, President PALS in his address said United States, Japan and some other developed countries have developed early warning systems for forecasting their people about any possible tsunami-tidal waves incident and we should also negotiate with them for acquiring such systems.
"Awareness is key to prevention of such disasters, we hould educate people living near the coasts as they suffered the most in tsunami-hit countries" he said adding that fishermen localities were at risk on Pakistanis coasts. He informed that if an earthquake is felt for more than 20 seconds near coasts, people should leave the beaches and be away from the sea at least 2-3 kilometers and take refuge at places on height.
The seminar was followed by a question-answer session, which experts informed people about precautionary measures and steps being taken to prevent any loss of lives in case of emergencies.
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| List
of Speakers |
| Name |
Designation
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Organization |
| Mr.Arif Mahmood |
Chief Meteorologist
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Pakistan Meteorological Department |
| Mr.Muhammad Amjad |
Captain
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Pakistan Navy |
| Mr.Raza Samad |
President
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Pakistan Aquatic Life Savings (PALS) |
| Mr.Ashfaq Agha |
Commanding Officer
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PNS Himalaya |
| Mr.Kahlid Khatri |
Assistant Director
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Government of Sindh |
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