Karachi/Hyderabad: Consortium lead Action Against Hunger (local implementing partner Sindh Rural Support Organization) with consortium partner Cesvi celebrated the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day. International Disaster Risk Reduction Day celebrations were meant to promote a culture of risk-awareness and preparedness whilst highlighting the importance of working together to mitigate disaster risks through evidence-informed planning. The International DRR day celebrations were undertaken under the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) funded project “Strengthening Resilience of Populations Vulnerable to recurrent disaster and Emergencies”. ACF and Cesvi jointly launched the ECHO funded project on the same day and expressed their commitment towards building disaster resilient communities in Sindh, where the vulnerable population have been periodically exposed to natural hazards causing livelihood losses and food insecurity. The event was attended by ECHO, government departments, district administration representatives, including DDMA, academia and civil society organizations.
The event was opened with a welcome address by Dr. Ranomal, Provincial Head Action Against Hunger Sindh, who reiterated ACF’s commitment towards reducing disaster risks, thanked ECHO for their generous contribution for building resilient communities in Thatta and Mirpurkhas and emphasized on collaboration of all stakeholders to enhance risk awareness and improve skills and capacities in disaster risk management. Mr. Altaf Qureshi – Deputy Director PDMA Sindh and Mr. Maqsood Soomro – Deputy Director Operations PDMA Sindh, Mr. Asif Khaskheli – Assistant Commissioner Mirpurkhas, and Mr. Naseer Muhammad Memon DEO Primary of Thatta were also among the key speakers who emphasized on the significance of preventing disaster losses in Sindh.
Ms. Saleha Pervaiz, Head of Programmes CESVI presented a brief overview of the ECHO funded project, which is of 16-months duration, and jointly implemented in close coordination with the Provincial and District Disaster Management Authorities, Department of Education, Sindh Forest Department and District Administrations. The activities of the project align with 2021 International DRR day theme and are designed
to raise community level preparedness and resilience building to reduce exposure to disaster risks while saving lives and livelihoods.
A moderated panel discussion also took place on “ disaster risk reduction and resilient communities – a way forward” during which panelists discussed the impact of climate change on livelihoods of coastal community and ways to strengthen coping mechanism, role of academia towards disaster resilient communities and recommendations for policy making in Pakistan, integration of gender-sensitive approaches in disaster risk management at the community level, and the significance of mental health and psychosocial support during emergencies.
The event was closed with remarks from Mr. Farhan Khan, Country Director Cesvi. Mr. Farhan Khan highlighted that in recent times, we have shown that Pakistanis are one of the most resilient nations in the world. He further emphasized that now is the time to commit on the occasion of the International Disaster Risk Reduction, that we will support and strengthen our communities and institutions, making them empowered and resilient to deal with any future calamity.
