ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): A pilot project has been planned to provide instant, targeted cash assistance to families living in disaster-affected areas through the integration of the National Catastrophe (NatCat) Model with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the initiative forms part of a broader plan to develop a shock-responsive social protection framework that can respond swiftly to emergencies caused by floods and other natural disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project seeks to strengthen Pakistan\u2019s disaster management system by ensuring timely cash transfers to vulnerable households when calamities strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the proposed mechanism, functionalities of the NatCat model will be fully aligned with BISP\u2019s payment system to enable real-time cash disbursements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It has been proposed that the pilot programme be rolled out initially in selected flood-prone districts, with lessons learned from the trial shaping the design of a nationwide expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key feature of the plan is the development of a shock response matrix, which will spell out the roles of different stakeholders, timelines for intervention, and the allocation of financial and human resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside this, a real-time monitoring dashboard will be created, allowing Parliament to directly track disbursements and ensure accountability and transparency in emergency support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), working in partnership with the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and backed by technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), had developed the NatCat model in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The model provides scientific, evidence-based insights for disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk financing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, while speaking to Wealth Pakistan, underlined the importance of institutional preparedness for disaster response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said Pakistan already has strong institutions in place, but the experience of recent floods highlighted the need for a more coordinated and pre-planned system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI recommend constituting a technical group that brings together all stakeholders, including BISP, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Ministry of Climate Change, and the Meteorological Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This group should operate at federal, provincial, and regional levels, covering Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the merged districts,\u201d she stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senator Rubina Khalid noted that international experience shows disaster response becomes more effective when supported by pre-arranged financing mechanisms and coordinated institutional setups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the integration of NatCat with BISP would allow Pakistan to build such a system tailored to its vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The documents reviewed by Wealth Pakistan revealed that during the first nine months of FY2024-25, the BISP has disbursed Rs385.6 billion to around 9.87 million households, demonstrating the programme\u2019s strong operational outreach and capacity to deliver large-scale financial support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, the government\u2019s broader Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) expenditures stood at Rs4.25 trillion, equivalent to 3.43% of GDP, during the July\u2013March FY25 period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These expenditures were spread across sectors including social protection, health, education, welfare, and law and order, reflecting the state\u2019s commitment to inclusive development alongside disaster resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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