National Resilience Day marked

PESHAWAR: The University of Peshawar’s Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM) arranged a walk on Tuesday to mark National Resilience Day and International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

A press release said the event was titled,” Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future.”The event aimed to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction, climate change, and resilience-building among students, communities, and stakeholders.

Participants included students, faculty members, government officials, and representatives from civil society organizations.CDPM Director Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali addressed the walk participants. He highlighted the devastating impact of disasters on communities, specifically on vulnerable groups worldwide and in Pakistan.

“The October 8, 2005 earthquake killed 73,000 people, and the 2010 flood affected 20 million in Pakistan. During the recent 2022 floods, out of 33 million affected people, almost 16 million were children,” he explained.

“These statistics underscore the need for building preparedness among communities, emphasizing an inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction approach” he added.Dr Zulfiqar Ali said empowering the next generation was crucial for building a resilient Pakistan.

“We must invest in education, awareness, and capacity-building initiatives to mitigate the impacts of disasters and climate change,” he stressed.A walk participant representing civil society stated, “Today’s event demonstrates our commitment to disaster risk reduction and resilience. We will continue to work with communities and stakeholders to promote a culture of safety and resilience.”

The participants urged governments and partners to commit to implementing risk reduction and climate resilience activities to ensure community safety, protect economies, and contribute to a resilient Pakistan. The event concluded with prayers for disaster victims. It is worth mentioning that as a pioneer academic Disaster Risk Reduction institution in the country, CDPM offers BS, MS, and PhD degree courses.

The centre is closely engaged with all disaster risk reduction stakeholders, including the National Disaster Management Authority, PDMA’s, rescue services, United Nations, and non-governmental organizations.