ISLAMABAD: Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cuba to enhance cooperation in the field of disaster management on Wednesday. Chairman Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Omar Mehmood Hayat signed the MoU with Ambassador of Cuba to Pakistan, Gabriel Tield Copote. Mehmood Hayat, while speaking subsequent to signing the deal stated that MoU signing between the two countries is an important step en route to building a better infrastructure to deal with disasters. He further stated that the deal would enhance mutual cooperation in areas such as risk mitigation and disaster management. “This cooperation is much needed to save precious human lives and economy in both the countries”, Mehmood added. Agreeing to Chairman NDMA’s stance, Cuban ambassador said that joint cooperation projects such as these can help countries learn unique ways of diminishing disaster risks to lessen exposures to hazards. He observed that during peace time management skills of complex disasters and applications of innovative methods of handling them could be shared with each other for capacity building of disaster management professionals. Both sides showed strong desire for continued support and co-operation and to share mutually beneficial experience. Chairman NDMA presented the ambassador with a souvenir as a token of appreciation.