Speakers at a seminar have stressed need of integration and research on Disaster Risk Reduction (DDR), strengthening forecasting and early warning system, along with adequate disaster reduction strategies to cope with post-disaster situation. They were expressed these views while addressing at a day-long seminar on eve of 11 anniversary of devastated earthquake on October 8th 2005, and commemoration of National Disaster Day, organised by, the Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar in collaboration with provincial government-line departments and international donor agencies at PUTA Hall, University of Peshawar.
Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar Professor Dr Muhammad Rasul Jan; Dean Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar Professor Dr Amir Nawaz Khan and Mr Muhammad Khalid, Director Administration PDMA-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials of provincial disaster management authority, government-line and representatives of international donor agencies were guest speakers at the occasion.
Besides, the event was attended by more than 350 participants from all walk of life including representatives of PDMA, Government Departments, United Nations, INGOs, Civil Society Organizations, Community Members, Teachers and Students of the University of Peshawar and other Universities. The event basic aim of the commemoration was to sensitize the community to learn from disasters and play its role as socially responsible citizens. Each year the day is celebrated to express solidarity with the bereaved families who lost their family members and to arouse the spirit of individual and group enrichment to face the challenges in the post disaster scenario.
The speakers said physical isolation, scattered settlement patterns, harsh climatic conditions, poor quality of construction of housing, buildings and infrastructure, fragile natural environment, population growth and size, rapid urbanization, industrialization and environmental degradation, climate change and variability and Gender power imbalances are the main causes of Pakistan's vulnerability to disasters in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA in particular.
The participants said that pitfalls in the implementation of National DRR policies, lack of understanding and knowledge of risk factors and risk reduction strategies, lack of institutionalized identification and assessment of vulnerable geographical locations, low level of capacities and awareness at decision making level and lack of accountability has further enhanced the vulnerability of the country.
They suggested that focused research on DRR, integration of DRR into development planning, strengthening forecasting and early warning system, adequate disaster reduction strategies, capacity building for coping with post-disaster situation, enhanced communications, infrastructure and critical facilities, political will and trained man-power are the need of the day to properly address the vulnerabilities of poor and marginalized population.
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