Project launched to reduce vulnerability to disasters
BOONI: Secours Islamique France (SIF) Pakistan has launched a pilot project focused on reducing local vulnerability to disasters through climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.
The project was officially launched at an inception workshop held in Booni on June 22, 2023. Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Muhammad Khalid Zaman was the chief guest.
Government departments, line departments, representatives from international and local non-governmental organizations, civil society members, community and religious leaders attended the event.
The project manager, Owais Ahmad, said the project aims to improve the resilience of mountain communities in the face of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the region. Chitral, with its 540 glaciers and 116 active glacial lakes, is highly vulnerable to GLOF events. These natural disasters have become increasingly frequent and destructive in recent years, posing a significant threat to the local population.
Climate change-induced disasters, such as GLOFs, have wreaked havoc on infrastructure, agricultural lands, forests and grazing lands in the Hindukush region. As a result, mountain communities in Chitral have become more vulnerable to these extreme climatic conditions.
Recognizing the urgency and significance of addressing these challenges, SIF Pakistan has taken the lead in launching this pilot project. The project will focus on promoting integrated climate change community-based disaster management programs at the local level.
It also aims to enhance climate change resilience through targeted actions in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Additionally, water conservation measures will be implemented to mitigate climate change-induced hazards and strengthen disaster resilience.
The launch of the project in Upper Chitral marks a crucial step towards building resilience and ensuring the well-being of the local communities.–Jamshid Ahmad