ISLAMABAD: A United States delegation has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Comprehensive International Simulation Exercises (CISE) to boost regional resilience against growing climate challenges.
The commitment came during a two-day consultative session between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the US Disaster Response Group at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
On the first day, the delegation was led by Deputy Chief of Mission H.E. Natalie Baker alongside Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, Commanding Officer of US ARCENT. The second day’s briefing was attended by Ivana Vuco, Disaster Expert for Asia, and her team from the US State Department.
Chairman NDMA, Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, briefed the delegation on NEOC’s advanced disaster management capabilities, including early warning systems, risk communication, coordinated relief operations, anticipatory actions, and international relief outreach. He also highlighted NDMA’s focus on CISE, designed to engage regional and global partners in strengthening disaster resilience.
The session further discussed contingency funds, risk insurance for rapid recovery, integrated search and rescue operations, and the success of early warning systems that helped thousands self-evacuate during the 2025 floods, minimizing casualties.
Natalie Baker praised Pakistan’s innovative disaster management framework, noting that its proactive use of technology and international collaboration through CISE sets a strong example for regional resilience. She reaffirmed US support for Pakistan’s relief efforts, particularly in response to the 2025 floods, through logistics, technical expertise, and humanitarian aid.
Lieutenant General Patrick Frank also lauded NDMA’s proactive approach and NEOC’s central role in mitigating hazards, while both sides shared best practices and streamlined joint response protocols to enhance future cooperation.
