Daily Times

KARACHI: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) along with the key representatives of line departments, administration and civil society extensively discussed hazardous situation of prone areas and locations from Karachi to Thatta.

The communities mostly suffering due to threats of climate change and natural disasters of flooding, drought, earthquakes and severe storms, where in need to initiate process to develop a guide book on Mainstreaming DRR and Disaster prevention, which will ultimately be support to the practitioners of related management department and working organisations; speakers said.

Disaster Risk Reduction consultant Jalilul Rehman and Mubashir soomro Coordinator of Malteser International (MI) a German based organisation in DRR workshop emphasised that development should be risk conscious to avoid existing and future risks in Thatta district and other coastal hazard areas.

They affirmed the process to develop a guide book on DRR in collaboration with PDMA and District Administrations, which will ultimately support the practitioners of related management cadre department and working organisations.

According to them, soil erosion caused by salting and overuse of the mangroves is a particular problem that threatens to worsen the inhabitants, so that capacity building should be required to respond effectively to the challenges of natural disasters by training.

They emphasised that it is a dire need to strengthen and mainstream DRR planning in collaboration with PDMA and District Administrations which is a must process to develop a guide book on Mainstreaming DRR capacity building of officials.

PDMA official Ajay Kumar, MI Programme Coordinator Fayyaz Shah and DDMA Thatta representative Captain Bilal highlighted that to lessen disaster risks and to make sustainable development in country. It is important to change the existing practices and policies which would create environment for integration of DRR into local development planning he said.

The representatives of the civil society and all corners should be advised and trained under a guide book on Mainstreaming DRR to ensure with all line departments and to ensure the practicing of these guidelines.