Pakistan is among top ten countries on climate change risk index, hence it is imperative that Pakistan need to invest more to tackle challenges of climate change effectively. This was stated by Shabnam Baloch Provincial Manager Oxfam at opening session of two-day training on disaster risk reduction focusing on accountability and transparency.
The training workshop was organised by Centre for Environment and Development and Action Aid Pakistan, which was participated by members of civil society organisations and media. She said no disaster is natural and all are manmade.
She said that 18th amendment is a window of opportunity to influence formulation of provincial policy disaster risk reduction policy. She said that strong political will is required to mobilise resources to enhance investment in disaster risk reduction. Baloch urged that disaster risk reduction should be taken as a vital component of sustainable development.
Speaking on the occasion, Fakhira Abro of Action Aid Pakistan said that Sindh is facing serious challenges including deepening food insecurity climate change, droughts, and declining capacity of provincial institutions to effectively provide adequate and quality social services.
She said that consequently, the resilience and coping mechanisms of households continue to be negatively affected by shocks and stresses.
Nasir Ali Panhwar Executive Director Centre for Environment and Development said that an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable development, with attention to tackling poverty and vulnerability to disasters, is needed to assess risks and build the networks and capacities to tackle them and adapt to changing circumstances.
He added that communities at risk of disasters have a right to know what is being planned by the government for ensuring protection of their lives, how much resources are allocated to such action, how is progress being made and budget targets. Panhwar said that accountability and transparency is established component of good governance and civil society can amplify citizens' voices and catalyse grassroots action.
He urged that Sindh need to take climate change as a priority item and integrate it with overall development policy of the province. Sarwat Sultana, Ziauddin and others also spoke on the occasion.