PESHAWAR: Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr. Saif, visited the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Headquarters in Peshawar and reviewed the authority’s ongoing activities and measures for dealing with emergency situations.
During the visit, he inspected the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Director General PDMA, Asfandyar Khattak, briefed him that PDMA’s modern monitoring system which is operational 24/7, and reports received from affected districts are updated immediately to make relief operations more effective and timely.
Later, while talking to the media alongside the Director General PDMA, Barrister Dr. Saif said that due to the continuous efforts of PDMA and other relevant institutions, the process of providing relief and financial assistance has accelerated. He added that the provincial government will not abandon the affected families and that their rehabilitation is a top priority of the government.
The Advisor said that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur himself is supervising relief and rehabilitation activities in the affected areas to ensure that there is no negligence. He stated that temporary shelters, food, medicines, and other essential facilities are being provided to the affected families, and a transparent and swift relief process is being ensured.
In response to a question, Barrister Dr. Saif said that the provincial government is utilizing all available resources to overcome the situation at the earliest. He further added that the majority of recent flood victims have already been compensated.
On the occasion, Director General PDMA Asfandyar Khattak informed that so far 406 people have lost their lives and 245 have been injured in the recent floods and flash floods. Among the deceased are 131 men, 167 women, and 108 children, while the injured include 121 men, 92 women, and 32 children. He further briefed that 2,810 houses have been damaged so far, of which 2,136 were partially and 674 completely destroyed. The most affected district is Buner, where the number of deaths has reached 237.
The DG further informed that to support the affected families and expedite the process of relief and compensation, the provincial government has recently released an additional Rs. 2 billion.
Barrister Dr. Saif appreciated the hard work and dedication of PDMA officials and staff and directed them to continue efforts to ensure that facilities and relief reach the affected people without delay.