Government Partners

DMA

NDMA

PDMA

DDMA

NHEPRN

Rescue1122

PRCS

Disaster Management Authorities

NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority)

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is Pakistan’s apex federal body responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and implementing disaster management activities nationwide. It was established on 17 August 2007 through the National Disaster Management Ordinance 2006, and later formalized under the NDMA Act 2010. NDMA operates under the administrative control of the Prime Minister’s Office and serves as the executive arm of the National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC), chaired by the Prime Minister.

Formation Context:
NDMA was created in response to Pakistan’s urgent need for a centralized disaster management system after catastrophic events like the 2005 earthquake and recurring floods. It was envisioned as a dedicated institution to enhance disaster risk management, response coordination, and resilience building nationwide.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Formulate policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management at the national level.
  • Coordinate the implementation of disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures across federal and provincial agencies.
  • Manage national disaster response operations, resource mobilization, and international humanitarian assistance.
  • Act as the central agency for relief distribution, search and rescue operations, and recovery efforts during disasters.

Key Functions:

  • Development of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), and sector-specific contingency plans.
  • Conduct nationwide capacity-building, public awareness campaigns, and early warning system enhancements.
  • Collaborate with international agencies like UNDRR, UN OCHA, and IFRC to align Pakistan’s disaster management with global standards.

PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authorities)

Disaster Management Authorities under NDMA

At the provincial and regional levels, the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) work under NDMA’s framework to implement disaster policies, manage local emergencies, and build disaster resilience:

Authority

Full Name

Coverage


PDMA Punjab

 

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab

 

Province of Punjab


PDMA Sindh

 

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Sindh

 

Province of Sindh


PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

 

Provincial Disaster Management Authority KP

 

Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa


PDMA Balochistan

 

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Balochistan

 

Province of Balochistan


    GBDMA

 

Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority

 

Gilgit-Baltistan region


     SDMA

 

State Disaster Management Authority Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)

 

Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Authority

Full Name

Coverage

PDMA Punjab

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab

Province of Punjab

PDMA Sindh

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Sindh

Province of Sindh

PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

Provincial Disaster Management Authority KP

Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

PDMA Balochistan

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Balochistan

Province of Balochistan

GBDMA

Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority

Gilgit-Baltistan region

SDMA

State Disaster Management Authority Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)

Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Roles of PDMAs and GBDMA:

  • Implement disaster risk management policies at the provincial and regional level.
  • Conduct risk assessments, vulnerability mapping, and hazard mitigation planning.
  • Manage emergency response, relief distribution, and rehabilitation activities locally.
  • Train local government institutions, communities, and volunteers for disaster preparedness.
  • Develop district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) for localized action.

Relationship with NDMA:

  • PDMAs, GBDMA, and SDMA report to NDMA and collaborate closely during major emergencies.
  • NDMA provides technical guidance, resources, and coordination support to provincial authorities.
  • In major disasters, NDMA leads national-level mobilization while PDMAs oversee localized response and implementation.

District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

A District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is a provincial government entity at the district level responsible for disaster management activities. It acts as a focal point for all disaster-related activities within the district, coordinating efforts and implementing measures to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to disasters.

National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network

The National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network (NHEPRN) is a federal program focused on health-sector emergency planning and response. It was established around 2010 by Pakistan’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), to strengthen the country’s capacity to handle health crises during disasters​ disasterlaw.ifrc.org. Following the devolution of the health ministry in 2011, NHEPRN was placed under the Cabinet Division for coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority. NHEPRN serves as the national focal point for managing public health emergencies – ranging from disease outbreaks to mass casualty incidents – ensuring a prompt and organized health response across provinces.

  • Brief Description: A government network/program that coordinates emergency preparedness in the health sector, integrating efforts of federal and provincial health departments, hospitals, and rescue services to deal with disasters and epidemics. It acts as a bridge between health services and disaster management authorities.
  • Roles and Responsibilities: Develops national plans and guidelines for health emergency management (e.g. hospital disaster preparedness plans, stockpiling of essential medicines, pandemic response plans). It also conducts trainings and drills for healthcare responders on disaster scenarios. During crises, NHEPRN coordinates the deployment of medical teams, ambulances, and field hospitals to affected areas and ensures the provision of emergency medical supplies.
  • Key Functions: Operates the Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) in partnership with WHO to detect and monitor disease outbreaks, especially after natural disasters, for quick containment​ preventionweb.net. NHEPRN also reviews and fast-tracks the credentialing of foreign medical volunteers and organizations offering assistance during large-scale disasters (as seen during the 2010 floods)​ disasterlaw.ifrc.org.
  • Activities: NHEPRN works closely with Rescue 1122, the military’s medical corps, and the Pakistan Red Crescent, etc., to integrate health services into overall disaster response. It liaises with international agencies (like WHO and UNICEF) for technical support and adopts global best practices in managing health emergencies. Through workshops and simulations, it builds the capacity of provincial health departments to better prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Official Website: N/A (operates under the Ministry of National Health Services/Cabinet Division)

Rescue 1122 (Emergency Rescue Service)

Rescue 1122 is a dedicated emergency response service in Pakistan that provides ambulance, rescue, and fire services across much of the country​ en.wikipedia.org. It began as a pilot project in Lahore in 2004 and was institutionalized by the Punjab Emergency Service Act of 2006, which established the service in Punjab province​  en.wikipedia.org. Over time, the Rescue 1122 model has been adopted in other provinces (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2012, Sindh in 2023, etc.), making 1122 the nationwide emergency helpline for rapid response in crises. The service operates a modern fleet of ambulances and fire/rescue vehicles with trained personnel, achieving an average response time of around 7 minutes in urban areas ​en.wikipedia.org.

  • Brief Description: An integrated emergency service for medical emergencies, accidents, and disasters, accessible by dialing 1122. It offers pre-hospital medical care, firefighting, and rescue operations under a unified command structure ​ en.wikipedia.org​  en.wikipedia.org.
  • Formation: Officially launched in 2006 in Punjab (after successful trials in 2004) to address the absence of a prompt emergency medical system in Pakistan​ en.wikipedia.org​ en.wikipedia.org. Founded by Dr. Rizwan Naseer, it was initially funded by the Punjab government and later replicated in other regions due to its success.
  • Primary Responsibilities: Responding to road traffic accidents, medical emergencies (heart attacks, injuries, etc.), fire outbreaks, building collapses, and natural disasters with professional rescue teams. It provides on-site first aid and transport to hospitals, as well as technical rescue (water rescues, height rescues) when needed.
  • Key Functions: Operates ambulances equipped with life-saving equipment and EMTs to provide immediate medical treatment​ en.wikipedia.org. Runs fire brigade units for firefighting and fire hazard mitigation in communities​ en.wikipedia.org. Maintains special rescue teams for disaster response (collapsed structure search-and-rescue, flood rescue units) and a community safety program that educates and trains the public in first aid and disaster preparedness​ en.wikipedia.org.

 

PRCS (Pakistan Red Crescent Society)

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is a humanitarian organization dedicated to emergency relief and welfare services, functioning as the national Red Cross/Red Crescent society of Pakistan. It was founded on 20 December 1947 by an order of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan’s founder) as the Pakistan Red Cross, succeeding the British Indian Red Cross Society in the newly independent state​ en.wikipedia.org. In 1974, it was renamed the Red Crescent to align with other Muslim-majority countries’ Red Crescent societies​ en.wikipedia.org. PRCS is legally recognized as a voluntary relief organization auxiliary to the government, tasked with alleviating human suffering and improving the lives of the vulnerable in accordance with the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement​ en.wikipedia.org. Its national headquarters is in Islamabad, with branches in every province and district of Pakistan ​en.wikipedia.org.

  • Brief Description: A leading humanitarian NGO that provides disaster relief, first aid, and community health services across Pakistan. PRCS operates under the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality, working both in natural disasters and during conflicts or refugee crises.
  • Primary Roles: Provides immediate emergency assistance during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones – including distribution of food, clean water, tents, and medical aid to affected populations​ en.wikipedia.org. It runs ambulances and emergency medical camps, offers first aid and psychosocial support, and reunites separated family members. In peacetime, PRCS conducts blood donation drives, health camps, and vaccinations, and educates communities on hygiene and disease prevention.
  • Key Functions: Trains volunteers in first aid, disaster response, and community-based health & safety, building a nationwide network of responders (over 1.8 million volunteers) ready to be mobilized​ en.wikipedia.org. As a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, it coordinates with global partners for humanitarian aid, and adheres to international standards in disaster management​ en.wikipedia.org. PRCS also serves as an auxiliary to government emergency services – working closely with NDMA, NHEPRN, and local authorities – to complement official disaster relief efforts with its resources and expertise.
  • Activities: Maintains disaster preparedness stocks (relief goods and emergency equipment) and a trained Disaster Response Team in each region for rapid deployment. PRCS is active in community resilience programs, such as school safety projects, livelihood support for disaster-affected families, and public awareness campaigns on disaster risk reduction. It also manages Restoring Family Links services (in cooperation with the ICRC) to locate missing persons during disasters or conflict.

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