Minister for Relief Rehabilitation & Settlement Department KP

Effective and efficient Disaster Management is of vital importance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one of the most disaster-prone areas in this region. Natural and man-made disasters including earthquakes, floods, droughts, landslides, fires, industrial accidents, displacements and complex humanitarian emergencies, have caused great misery and suffering in our province in recent years. Climate change and shifts in monsoon patterns are posing new challenges for our province causing damage in areas not previously affected. The indications are that extreme events will occur with greater frequency and intensity in the future and we must be prepared for all eventualities.

The development and implementation of effective strategies to counter the impacts of disasters and climate change is imperative. We must ensure that disaster risk reduction (DRR), preparedness, development of adequate disaster response mechanisms, and climate change adaptation receive priority attention in all planning and development. Further, the comprehensive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Road Map (2014-2019) must be implemented in full if we are to be successful in reducing the risks posed by disasters and the massive human and economic cost.

These initiatives have my full support and the provincial government is fully committed to realizing our vision of a Disaster Resilient Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We welcome and appreciate the valuable support of our many stakeholders and partners who have stood with us in the many challenging times we have faced, and in moving forward.

Muhammad Iqbal Wazir