Abstract

The abstract presents a comprehensive overview of the study’s focus on the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Pakistan, examining its effectiveness, efficiency, challenges, and role in disaster management. The NDMA was established under the National Disaster Management Act – 2010, operating under the supervision of the National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC). The study aimed to assess the NDMA’s plans, their implementation, the utilization of funds, challenges faced, and its role in disaster management. To the best of our knowledge, the evaluation of NDMA was not being done on the lines of effectiveness, efficiency, and relevancy. This was the research gap that this thesis aimed to bridge. A qualitative research strategy was employed, involving key informant interview hard work government officials, international organizations, donors, academia, media, and the private sector. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data, yielding 17 themes and 21 sub-themes. The findings highlighted NDMA’s coordination with stakeholders, including provincial authorities, the military, health department, and other agencies, for effective disaster management. Collaborative efforts demonstrated the significance of emergency response and risk reduction. However, financial constraints and reliance on external funding posed challenges to plan implementation. Donor preferences, political priorities, and reactive funding were obstacles. The study emphasized the need for enhanced funding and trained personnel to strengthen NDMA’s capacity in disaster management.