Karachi: The Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Syed Salman Shah, met with a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to strategize on the 2024 monsoon season preparations.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the meeting at the PDMA headquarters focused on contingency planning and enhancing the province’s rapid response capabilities ahead of the expected heavy monsoon rains. The delegation, led by Ms. Ivana Vuco of the USAID/BHA South and Central Asia Regional Office, along with Ms. Rachel Grant, US Military-Civil Humanitarian Affairs Advisor in Islamabad, and Mr. Abdul Rehman, USAID Humanitarian Assistance Team Leader in Islamabad, reviewed the responses to the devastating 2022 floods in Sindh and discussed strategies for future disaster preparedness. The delegates reaffirmed their commitment to supporting ongoing recovery efforts and improving disaster response mechanisms in the region.

DG PDMA Syed Salman Shah emphasized the severity of the anticipated monsoon, noting the possibility of unusually high rainfall and detailed the proactive steps being taken to mitigate potential impacts and support affected communities. This meeting marks Ms. Vuco’s first official visit to Pakistan since her appointment in May 2024, highlighting the continued collaboration between USAID and PDMA to fortify disaster management and response strategies in Sindh.