Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established on 24' March 2020. Primarily, CMU was as a coordination center to assist overseas Pakistanis who wished to travel to Pakistan in the aftermath of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The scope of operations of the CMU has been extended during the last three years.
In line with the needs and requirements of emerging situations at national or global levels, CMU is continuously endeavoring to expand its area of activities. Following are some of the key areas that have been undertaken successfully by the CMU:
The most significant aspect of CMU activities during the COVID-19 outbreak was to facilitate inbound passengers on the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the WHO. CMU, in coordination with important government stakeholders and Pakistan Missions Abroad, managed to assist thousands of eligible inbound travelers by provision of exemption certificates for COVID-19 vaccination.
Moreover, after the development of COVID-19 vaccines, procurement of vaccines for Pakistan was one of the major tasks to provide relief to the public and attain health security. In this regard, CMU actively coordinated with local and international stakeholders and Pakistan was one the first countries in the region to arrange vaccines to entire eligible population of the country.
In August 2021, after the U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, Taliban-led government took control of the country. After the establishment of Taliban government in Kabul, one of the main objectives of NATO and its allied countries was to evacuate at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. In this regard, Pakistan in coordination with the concerned countries developed an evacuation plan namely Pakistan's Humanitarian Safe Passage Program. Under this plan, CMU was designated as focal desk in the Ministry to coordinate evacuation-related tasks.
Under the Program, more than 58000 Afghan nationals have been evacuated to 25 different countries. Evacuation of Afghan nationals by 3rd countries is an ongoing process through CMU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The floods in the year 2022 had caused widespread devastation throughout the country. The monsoon rains started in mid-June and continued through August 2022. As a result, millions of people were displaced and devastated, livelihood and critical infrastructure including roads, rail lines, school and health facilities. Approximately, 5.4 million acres of crops were affected. The floods have caused losses worth billions of dollars.
During the disaster, CMU in coordination with Pakistani Missions Abroad and other stakeholders was on the forefront in arranging early and timely international relief assistance for flood-affected Pakistanis. More than 137 flights from friendly countries and international partners containing relief goods landed in Pakistan during first two crucial months.
CMU also arranged visits of teams of experts from international relief agencies and friendly countries for humanitarian assistance and post-disaster analysis to flood affected areas of Pakistan.
Following 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Government of Pakistan decided to provide immediate relief assistance for the affected Pakistanis in both countries. CMU in coordination with NDMA sent 33 cargo flights carrying relief items. Also, several trucks were dispatched to Türkiye containing food items, tents and blankets. Three flights were also sent to Syria containing relief goods for the earthquake affectees.
In wake of the recent civil war in Sudan, Government of Pakistan decided to close down the Mission and repatriate Pakistani diaspora living in Sudan. CMU was focal desk, which coordinated with all important stakeholders for smooth repatriation of Pakistan Embassy officials as well as Pakistani community members. Around 1100 Pakistanis were evacuated by road from Khartoum to port Sudan by sea and by air from port Sudan.
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