Provincial Disaster Management Authority - PDMA with technical support from Centre for Disaster Preparedness & Management of Peshawar University and financial support from DRR Forum KP Chapter celebrated “International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR)” in PUTA Hall of Peshawar University by organizing a seminar. Participants from Rescue 1122, Civil Defense, Dean Faculty of Life & Environmental Sciences, Students and Teacher, VC Peshawar University, Parliamentary Secretary for RR&S Department and representatives from at least 15 humanitarian organizations attended the event.

The seminar was started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. The Recitation was followed by the opening remarks of Dr. Azmat Ullah (Assistant Director PDMA). The technical lead of the seminar and host Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Jan (Director CDPM) deliberated the background of international disaster awareness day. He also shed light on the current year theme i.e. Knowledge for life.

Dr. Azmat Ullah Wazir, Director Relief PDMA briefly explained that the International day for DRR started in 1989 with the approval of UN General Assembly. He said, the UN General Assembly sees international day for DRR as a way to promote a global culture of disaster reduction including risks mitigation, disaster prevention & preparedness. He said, this day encourages government and every citizen to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations. He said, Risk and uncertainties are increasing in the region due to climate change, greater frequency of extreme events, warmer temperature and increased incidence of temperature influenced disaster & pests. The world in general and Pakistan in particular is badly suffering as a result to climate change. He said, due to uneven distribution of moon-soon rains, floods and famine are the fate of this region. He said, today many people of our Pakistan are living in earthquake and disaster prone communities and many live in communities at risks from cyclone and other extreme weather events. He said, Provincial Disaster Management Authority feels that it is essential that we continue to work together that Federal Government involves and work with Provincial Governments, community leaders and Humanitarian Partners in building strategies for risk reduction and its implementation. PDMA has taken special initiatives by introducing DRM Strategic Unit, early warning systems, strengthening Provincial Emergency Operation Center, strengthening District Disaster Management Units at District level in order to make this province disaster resilient, he added.

A community representative grabs the attention of the audience towards his success story in his speech. He briefly described what he being a community member did when floods in 2010 struck his area.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan, Vice Chancellor Peshawar University also highlighted the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction to make this province disaster resilient.

The speech of Professor Dr. Amir Nawaz (Dean of faculty of life and environmental sciences university of Peshawar) was very informative. He thoroughly discussed the lesson learnt of previous disaster, the threats and risk prevailing across the country, the capacities and vulnerabilities of the state and state owned department as well as communities. He also give roadmap for reducing disaster risk by categorizing it “path to the safety and DRR’.

Director CDPM Mushtaq Ahmad Jan said on the occasion, the CDPM as an academic institution focuses on four pillars of activities, i.e. Knowledge and information sharing, capacity building, research in the field of DRR and Collaboration among stakeholders to achieve disaster resilience at all levels.

District Nazim Peshawar Muhammad Asim said, Local Government will also initiate efforts about natural disaster awareness of the masses and provide prompt relief to the affected communities with the support of PDMA and Provincial Government.

In last the provincial government representative Nargis

Bibi (MPA) who is also parliamentary secretary for relief, rehabilitation and resettlement explained the steps taken by the provincial government in disaster risk reduction and the future plans.

The meeting ended with a group photo of the participants. A hi-tea was served to all the participants. At tea the organizations and departmental representatives discussed the upcoming events and issues pertaining to Project NOC. The authorities assured the organizations that these issues will be resolved soon.