National Institute of Disaster Management (Pakistan)

The National Institute of Disaster Management (Urdu: قومی ادارہ برائے آفات انتظام, romanized: qaumī idāra barā'e āfāt intizām; abbreviated as NIDM), is a national think tank of the government of Pakistan responsible for capacity building, research, and policy development in the field of disaster management. Established with the objective of enhancing the country's resilience to natural and human-made disasters, NIDM functions under the umbrella of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is the principal agency for coordinating disaster response and preparedness at the national level.

National Institute of Disaster Management

قومی ادارہ برائے آفات انتظام
Agency overview
Formed	10 February 2010 (2010-02-10)
Type	Think tank
Jurisdiction	Government of Pakistan
Headquarters	Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Minister responsible	Sherry Rehman, Minister of Climate Change
Agency executive	Director-general
Parent department	National Disaster Management Authority

NIDM's mandate encompasses the development of policies, provision of specialized training, research, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the impacts of natural and man-made disasters. By focusing on capacity building at local, provincial, and national levels, the institute plays a vital role in ensuring a coordinated and effective disaster response mechanism.

Strategically positioned to address Pakistan’s vulnerability to frequent disasters—ranging from earthquakes, floods, and landslides to the growing threat posed by climate change—NIDM integrates practices into its operations while tailoring its approaches to the unique socio-geographical context of the country. Through collaboration with national and international organizations including the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), NIDM aims to build a more disaster-resilient by promoting sustainable risk management and fostering community-based disaster preparedness initiatives.

The institute also provides a comprehensive disaster management training framework but also acts as a hub for research, innovation, and policy development.

History

The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) was established in response to the increasing need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to disaster management in the country. Pakistan's geographical and climatic conditions make it highly vulnerable to a wide range of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, and landslides, as well as human-made disasters. The devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which claimed tens of thousands of lives, acted as a catalyst for the nation to rethink its disaster management policies and practices. This tragedy underscored the need for institutional reforms to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of such catastrophic events.

Initial steps and formation (2005–2010)

In the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake, the government of Pakistan recognized that an ad-hoc approach to disaster management was inadequate. This led to the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2007, which became the central coordinating body for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery at the national level. NDMA, however, required an institution specifically dedicated to building the capacities of government officials, responders, and the general public, and to conducting research on disaster risk reduction.

In response to this gap, the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) was conceptualized as an institution to provide training, research, and expertise in the field of disaster management. Its creation was formalized under the National Disaster Management Act, 2010, which outlined the structure for a national disaster management framework in Pakistan. NIDM was envisioned as a key agency to support NDMA by building a skilled workforce capable of handling disaster risks and enhancing national resilience. The technical support is aided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Growth and development (2010–2015)

After its formal establishment in 2010, NIDM began to develop and deliver disaster management training programs aimed at various sectors, including government officials, first responders, and civil society organizations. During this period, NIDM expanded its reach, collaborating with international partners such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and other global disaster management institutes to adopt systematic practices and integrate them into Pakistan’s disaster preparedness strategies.

The 2010 Pakistan floods, one of the worst natural disasters in the country's history, became a major test for NIDM’s role in capacity building and training. The floods, which displaced millions and caused widespread devastation, highlighted the importance of coordinated disaster response efforts and the need for a well-trained workforce. In the aftermath, NIDM intensified its efforts to provide training in flood response, risk management, and recovery planning.

Expansion of mandate and international collaboration (2015–2020)

As Pakistan faced recurring disasters, including floods, heatwaves, and droughts, NIDM broadened its scope to include climate change adaptation and community-based disaster risk management. Recognizing that disaster management needed to be approached holistically, the institute began integrating climate science into its training and research programs, reflecting a growing global consensus on the link between climate change and disaster risk.

During this time, NIDM strengthened its collaborations with international agencies and participated in global forums on disaster risk reduction. It also worked closely with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to decentralize disaster preparedness and build regional capacities. This period saw the institute playing a larger role in organizing national disaster simulations and drills, aimed at testing and improving the country's disaster response capabilities.

Recent developments and current role (2020–present)

In recent years, NIDM has become a critical player in Pakistan’s disaster management landscape. It has evolved into a hub for research, policy advocacy, and capacity building, addressing emerging challenges such as urban disaster risks, industrial accidents, and pandemics. The COVID-19 pandemic tested the country’s preparedness for non-traditional disasters, prompting NIDM to explore the intersections of public health and disaster risk management.

NIDM's initiatives include integrating technology and data analytics into disaster risk assessment, enhancing community-level disaster preparedness, and advocating for more climate-resilient infrastructure. The institute continues to refine its training programs, incorporating lessons learned from both national and global disaster events.

Organisational structure

The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has a structured organizational framework that allows it to effectively carry out its functions. The organizational structure ensures coordination between different stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and community-level actors.

Governance

The Director-General (DG) is the chief executive responsible for overseeing the institute's operations, strategic direction, and partnerships. The DG is usually a senior official appointed by the government, often with a background in disaster management or a related field. The DG ensures that NIDM's objectives are aligned with national disaster management policies and international standards.

Governing Board

The Governing Board is the apex decision-making body within NIDM, providing overall policy direction and approving major initiatives, budgets, and strategic plans.

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The principal disaster management agency in Pakistan, responsible for guiding the overall disaster management strategy in which NIDM operates.

2. Ministry of Climate Change: Since climate change is a significant driver of disaster risk, the ministry plays a key role in aligning NIDM’s programs with national climate change policies.

3. Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs): Representatives from provincial bodies to ensure that NIDM’s training and research initiatives are well-coordinated with regional needs.

4. Subject matter experts: Specialists in disaster management, climate change, public health, and other related fields who provide expertise and guidance on specific initiatives.

5. Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) plays a supportive role in the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). It contributes by providing scientific and technological expertise to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The MoST also facilitate research on disaster prediction, risk assessment, and mitigation technologies, in addition to promote the use of advanced technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and early warning systems.

It also plays a primary role through collaboration with other scientific institutes under MoST, NIDM benefits from access to data, technology-driven tools, and innovative approaches for managing disasters.

See also

• National Disaster Management Authority

Further reading

• "NDMA act" (PDF). ndma.gov.pk. 11 Aug 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 Sep 2024. Retrieved 19 Sep 2024.