UMERKOT: Timely and effective measures to reduce disaster risk are the need of the hour for which all stakeholders should come forward. This was shared by Umerkot Deputy Commissioner Nadeem-ur-Rehman Memon in his concluding speech at a one-day consultative workshop on the District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) here.

He said ad hoc and relief-based approach yielded temporary benefits, leaving major factors unattended. Well-coordinated andtimely efforts always reaped better results, so it was imperative to have an effective plan developed with the consent of stakeholders, he added.

Deputy Director Saroop Malhi from the social welfare department said the government had been trying its best in emergencies, but other stakeholders like NGOs, donors and private sector should come forward in building resilience of vulnerable communities.

It was another irony that in emergencies, many actors came forward, but few were seen on the ground for rehabilitation andbuilding resilience of communities. It would be better if they contributed to reducing the factors behind disasters and ensuring effective planning instead of extending support in relief, he added.

Dr Abdul Sattar Mangrio stated that there was special need to develop a comprehensive disaster mitigation plan for Umerkot district.

Ali Akbar Rahimoon said Umerkot was a disaster-prone district as flash floods and drought are major risks for the area. Flash noodsof2011andrecent droughts showed that the DDMA should beactive and updated plan must be there to initiate preand post-disaster activities without any difficulty. Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) draft was developed by the district administration and there was a need to ensure participation of the district council for timely response, he added.

Dr Hemji from the health department said that a local NGO had taken the initiative to gather all the stakeholders on one platform at the district level to make the DDMA functional.

Journalist Mumtaz Arisar emphasised sustainable develop-ment of drainage networks at the barrage areas of district Umerkot. He also identified that Dhoro lining process was good, but that would be a barrier in dewatering during floods in Bachaband area.

He also urged the district administration that for all development works, it should be assured that the infrastructure was disaster-proof.

It was also unanimously decided that for ensuring effective coordination, the district administration would call a meeting of the DDMA and participation of all stakeholders would be ensured.