The Ministry of Ports and Shipping will undertake expansion and upgradation of existing crisis management cells at the three ports to efficiently and effectively respond to natural calamities like earthquake.
"These cells will be equipped with heavy cranes, life sensing equipment, ambulances, fire-brigades and other necessary machinery and equipment besides highly trained rescue teams," said the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Babar Khan Ghauri, while addressing a press conference here on Sunday.
He said if the budget allow a helicopter will also be bought to carry out air lifting operations in emergency situations.
Referring to the crisis at hand, he said: "We should be well-prepared to handle any emergency situation on our own, so that we do not have to depend on other countries for help".
Babar Ghauri informed that a special team of 250-members will be trained at international institutes of USA, Germany and Japan which specialise in imparting disaster management training.
The trainees will be selected for the said training after devising basic criteria in consultation with concerned universities and institutes both at home and abroad, he added.
This highly trained team will be ready for carrying out rescue and relief operations in the city and anywhere in the country in situation of crisis.
"He said the Ministry of Ports and Shipping has decided to purchase all the necessary equipment required for executing the relief operation in the fastest and secure manner to ensure minimum loss of life," the minister told the newsmen.
He said these cells will work in co-ordination with other departments of the government.
The minister pointed out that in the recent earthquake it was noticed that those localities which existed on slopes experienced worst devastation.
He underlined the need to conduct a survey in the Karachi for identification of most vulnerable localities in case of any natural disaster.
"Hill Park, KDA Officers Society, hilly areas of Orangi Town and North Nazimabad are a few such localities," he pointed out.
Ghauri appreciated the efforts made by all the segments of society for participating in the ongoing relief operation.
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