He expressed these views in a seminar titled "Disaster Management Awareness: Investing today to save lives tomorrow", which was organized by School of Governance and Society (SGS) and University of Management and Technology (UMT) here on Thursday.
UMT Director General Abid Sherwani, Director School of Governance and Society Rahat-ul-Ain, Secretary Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) Punjab Dr Shaukat, Assistant Professor Dr Aisha Azhar along with other faculty members and a large number of students also attended the seminar.
He further said that it is need of the hour to adopt better approach to community mobilization and networking to address disaster risk reduction goals through a coordinated participation and interactive process.
"The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab was endeavoring hard to establish socially responsible, healthy, safer and more resilient community. In order to minimize disasters, PDMA Punjab has initiated Early Warning and Response System through satellite based connectivity. The PDMA had initiated Disaster Risk Reduction Programme (DRRP) to ensure safety measures," he said.
He further said that Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) programme had been initiated to train community at large for the establishment of safer communities in all districts of Punjab.
"In order to cater any untoward situation, PDMA had established state-of-the-art provincial control room to monitor water level in river, nullahs and canals. Moreover, it had also set up a Mobile Communication Office to monitor rescue and relief efforts in far flung areas," he added.
Khalid encouraged students to work with the PDMA as volunteers and participate in community based training programme of the authority. He also invited the faculty members and students to visit PDMA Punjab office.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) Punjab, Dr Shaukat briefed about the role of Pakistan Red Crescent in humanitarian fields in Pakistan.
Director School of Governance and Society, Rahat-ul-Ain while talking on the occasion appreciated PDMA Punjab efforts to tackle disasters and gave nod to work and cooperate with the authority.