Public Awareness Campaign on

International Disaster Risk Reduction Day 2023
at Government Associate College for Women

The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDRR) is a global observance held every year on October 13th. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, with the aim of promoting a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts, progress, and innovative approaches made towards reducing disaster risks and building resilient communities worldwide.

This year’s theme for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 revolved around "Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future"

Inequality and vulnerability to disasters are interconnected: disparities in accessing essential services like finance and insurance leave the most vulnerable exposed to disaster risks, and when disasters occur, they worsen existing inequalities and push the most vulnerable deeper into poverty. It underscores the urgent need to invest in disaster risk reduction strategies, enhance community engagement, and strengthen disaster resilience to protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure in the face of increasing climate-related disasters and other hazards.

Shehersaaz observed “International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction” (IDDR) at a local college in Dhok Mangtal, Rwp to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction and resilience. This day helped raise awareness and understanding amongst students by informing them about risks they might face and ways to mitigate them, hence fostering a culture of preparedness and safety.

Shehersaaz collaborated with “Rescue Service 1122” and held a wonderful event showcasing several demonstrations related to First-Aid, Flood and earthquake preparedness. Live demonstrations illustrated effective responses for earthquakes, floods and other disaster reduction events, covering first aid, search and rescue methods and safe evacuation procedures.

Watch event videos from Facebook Live

Event Photo Gallery

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PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON

NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION DAY 2023

Pakistan has a long history of experiencing natural disasters, with earthquakes being one of the most devastating. On October 8, 2005, Pakistan suffered a catastrophic earthquake, this seismic event had a magnitude of 7.6, causing massive destruction, loss of life, and displacement of communities. The earthquake's epicenter was near Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir, affecting several regions across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

In commemoration of the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan in October 2005, followed by Floods of 2022 that submerged 1/3 of the country effecting 33 million people, leading to massive destruction where properties and lives were compromised.

Shehersaaz observed “National Disaster Risk Reduction Day (NDRRD) on Monday, October 9th 2023 at Nowshera. The day served as a solemn occasion to remember the lives lost, the communities affected, and to renew the commitment to disaster resilience and preparedness.

The primary objective of observing NDRRD was to raise awareness about the importance of disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and community resilience in the face of natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and floods.

Shehersaaz collaborated with “Rescue 1122 “ several “Emergency Response Demonstrations” were presented, practical demonstrations showcasing appropriate responses during an earthquake/floods, including first aid, search and rescue techniques, and safe evacuation practices were also demonstrated.

The event helped Increase awareness and understanding of disaster risks, particularly earthquake and flood risks.

Empowered community with knowledge and skills for disaster preparedness and response.

Strengthened partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders for effective disaster risk reduction efforts.

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Watch event glimpses from Facebook Live

Urban Farming Practices in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

The Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) is an initiative of UN-Habita t’s World Urban Campaign, conceived in 2014 to serve as a platform advocating for enlightened urban planning and design. Its primary aim is to propose urban solutions that address the challenges posed by urbanization and contribute to the betterment of urban futures. This year’s UTC focused on the theme of “Urban Farming Practices in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience.” The event was organized in collaboration with the World Urban Campaign, UN-Habitat Pakistan, Shehersaaz, and COMSATS University, Islamabad. The panel discussion featured notable experts, including Mr. Sridhar Dharmapuri, Senior Food Safety and Nutrition Officer at FAO Bangkok; Mr. Khalil Ahmed, Project Manager at UN-Habitat; Ms. Zilehuma, Assistant Professor at COMSATs University, Islamabad; Dr. Nausherawan Nobel Nawab, Principal Scientific Officer at Horticulture Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad; Dr. Adnan Amin from COMSATs University, Islamabad; and Mr. Abdul Shakoor, an Urban Planner and Environmental Designer.

The discussion began with remarks from Executive Director Ms. Almas Shakoor, who emphasized that Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change, despite its low contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The challenges posed by climate change, especially in the context of cities, urban poverty, and food security, are recognized globally. Sustainable solutions addressing food, water, energy, and transportation as integrated components of urban climate change adaptation and disaster risk management plans are urgently needed.

The panelists underscored the pivotal role of urban farming in enhancing food security for urban populations, building resilience, mitigating the Urban Heat Island Phenomenon, greenifying cities, and improving urban climates. Additionally, urban farming stimulates the productive reuse of organic waste and reduces urban energy consumption.

The session concluded with several proposed solutions:

• Mandatory development of community gardens and terrace gardens for communities.
• Provision of training for urban farmers and community members to introduce new urban farming techniques and emerging marketing methods.
• Investment in research on seeds to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imports.
• Implementation of awareness campaigns to promote rooftop and terrace gardening.
• Utilization of rainwater through community-level Rainwater Harvesting Units (RWHU) for daily household needs and plant watering to enhance food security.
• Planting fruit trees along roadsides for the benefit of all.
• Encouraging individuals with knowledge of composting and urban farming techniques to support and educate others, fostering a healthy community lifestyle.
• Promoting proactive community engagement in building a food-secure environment and cultivating a sustainable culture at the micro level.

These solutions highlight the importance of collective action and community involvement in addressing urban challenges and climate change resilience.

World Environment Day marks its 50th Anniversary this year (2023) and in the 5 decades the day has grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach. This year Theme for World Environment Day was ‘Solutions to plastic pollution”. Plastic pollution is a growing and serious concern in Pakistan as it ranked sixth globally and third in Asia among plastic waste generators with the country producing 4 million tons of plastic waste annually. Karachi is identified as among the top 10 marine litter hotspots in the region, constituting an increasing risk to ecosystem health and biodiversity. This is rooted in unsustainable production and consumption patterns, poor plastic and solid waste management and lack of infrastructure, lack of adequate legal and policy frameworks and poor enforcement, and a lack of financial resources both at national and local governments.

Shehersaaz in collaboration with UN-Habitat, Ministry of Climate Change and NUST celebrated World Environment day 2023 to create awareness to effectively manage the plastic waste and create a healthier society. The winners of the Art Competition held by UN Habitat on International Zero Waste Day 2023 were also announced and awarded aiming to create awareness in children and promote sustainable consumption and production patterns and contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Dr. Muhammad Irfan. Principal & Dean. Professor. School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (SCEE) distributed the awards to the winners.

A Panel discussion was convened to dig out the challenges and to come up with the solutions to reduce and manage plastic pollution. The panelists included Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, HPM, UN Habitat; Dr. Imran Hashmi, Tenured Professor & Associate Dean, IESE, NUST; DR. Hira Amjad, Assistant Professor, IESE, NUST; Ms. Raina Saeed Khan, Chairperson, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board; Dr. Mansoor Ali; Team Lead, Waste Burning Program, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK; and Dr. Beenish Kulsoom, Lead Local Governance Program, Shehersaaz.

The panelists highlighted that that there is need for redesigning products & packaging, market assessment for reuse, refill & recyclability, increased awareness and advocacy, and effective implementation of legislations for beating plastic pollution in Pakistan. A strong need was felt for inclusion of producer responsibility in eliminating plastic pollution through defining and legislation under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Through collective action, we can achieve a world that is cleaner, greener, safer, healthier and happier, for us to live, work and play.

Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director, Shehersaaz welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of awareness for an effective and efficient plastic waste management system which is critical for improving the productivity and sustainability of Pakistan centers.

Mr. Jawed Ali Khan in his opening remarks explained that UN Habitat is assisting cities through actions including waste data and monitoring, knowledge sharing, education and advocacy. As the cities grow, the problem of plastic and solid waste management is worsening. If the trend continues, 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste will be part of the environment by 2050. It is important that we work jointly towards reducing the plastic waste and promote its utilization for generating circular economy to reduce plastic pollution, value addition and increase resource efficiency.

Dr. Imran Hashmi and DR. Hira Amjad, deliberated that we must recognize that the restoration of nature is imperative to the survival of our planet and the human race. Academia is playing its role by providing the alternatives and students in the universities are doing research on different topics specifically related to Micro-Plastics. He highlighted that the research work done is not appropriately taken up by policy makers for integrating into the policies. This gap needs to be filled by working hand in hand.

Dr. Mansoor Ali described though National policies and legislations exist to address the plastic waste challenge but due to ineffective implementation, we are unable to beat the menace of plastic. There is a dire need to revise the legislations and their implementation strategies. Dr. Beenish Kulsoom said that it is important to identify the root causes for the ineffective local governance system for management of plastic waste. There exists overlapping of mandates of institutions working at the local level resulting in ineffective governance. The solution is to revisit the governance structure. Ms. Raina Saeed explained that awareness and advocacy plays a vital role in building awareness to the general public with respect to the impacts of plastic pollution in Pakistan and working for plastic free Margalla Hills Natural Park.

Citizens perspectives on challenges and solutions were also taken in which they showed concern on low awareness with respect to severity of the impact caused by plastic pollution on the wellbeing. Gardeners, Sanitary Workers and Forest Guards were payed tribute for their continuous efforts to clean the environment.

 

Dr. Shirley Yeung is a veteran IEMA-approved sustainability (CSR) practitioner, experienced ISO 9000 Principal Auditor, AQIP Assessor, US and HKCAAVQ Subject specialist.
We (Shehersaaz) and Dr. Shirley jointly organizing a Chinese Calligraphy session with young girls in Dhok Hassu - Rawalpindi.

Date: 22 May 2023

Venue: Shehersaaz Field Office-

Dhok Hassu, Rawalpindi