UoP holds walk in run-up to quake anniversary

The Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar (UoP) organized an awareness walk at its campus to mark Pakistan National Resilience Day and create awareness about disaster management on Thursday.

The commemoration of the day started with a peaceful walk from the CDPM Building to PUTA Chowk.

A large number of students, faculty members, media personnel and representatives of civil society participated in the walk holding placards and banners with public awareness messages on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Addressing the audience, the Director CDPM Professor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that this day carries enormous importance for us as a nation and humanitarian community.

Marking the National Resilience Day of 8th October serves three main purposes. It reminds us of the big losses, injuries, damages and miseries of the past disasters as we have gathered to share the grief of the families who have lost their loved ones and who were injured especially in the shocking earthquake of 2005.

Secondly, it aims at raising awareness about the impending disasters and compels us to adapt to the changing realities of life and focus on adaptation to climate change and reduce disaster risk to the maximum possible extent. The director highlighted the need to inspire, educate and raise awareness on initiating coordinated efforts both vertically and horizontally to mitigate the negative impacts of disasters, especially the climate change induced hazards.

He said that the number of natural hazards and climate extremes are increasing and will become more frequent and severe in many parts of the world including Pakistan if proper mitigating measures are not adopted.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2022.