Sarwar Kamal
Climate change has emerged as one of the biggest challenges to humanity in this century. The emission of greenhouse gases is the reason as far as the phenomenon of climate change is concerned. Unfortunately, the big economies of the world i.e China, India, Brazil, USA and EU countries are the largest emitters on planet earth on a absolute basis while on the contrary Pakistan\’s contribution of emission of these gases is negligible but still we are at paying its heaviest price.
Chitral is supposed to be the most backward and remote part of Pakistan. Mostly it is mountainous region very prone and vulnerable to flash flooding. Unfortunately, for the last one decade on a constant basis Chitral has been exposed to glacier bursts and heavy flash flooding due to the phenomenon of climate change. Chitral is grappling with profound impacts of climate change ie as shifting weather pattern (drought and untimely snow and rainfall) and catastrophic floods. Due to the recent torrential rainfall for almost one week non-stop the magnitude of devastation and destruction is unprecedented and nowadays people are battling for there survival as many houses were collapsed and destroyed.
Our infrastructure has been destroyed and many people will be forced to displace to other places for shelters. As I write, unfortunately, both our provincial and federal governments are not realizing the gravity of the situation. The federal government should declared Chitral as a calamity-hit area. The magnitude of destruction is unprecedented and we do have limited resources as far as the compensation and rehabilitation processes is concerned.
To meet the resources and funds I am proposing that we should organize an international donors\’ conference in which pledges will be announced by countries. It is my humble request to our ceremonial ruler and provincial assembly member Mehtar Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir to organize this conference. I am very optimistic he can use his good office, position and status in this regard.
Secondly, proud son of the soil Chitral, Anwar Aman can also play a huge role in helping his people by motivating US-based donor agencies in this hours of need. Similarly, Wazir Zada can play his role by engaging the embassies of UK, EU countries, Canada and USA.
We can only address the idea of disaster risk management by getting enough money and resources making a resilient community wit the ability to cope with and fight these calamities.