‘Flood devastation left communities destitute’

Sherry says those most vulnerable to climate change not in a position to 'go green' without sustainable livelihoods

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Monday said the policy discussions should be well-updated to the ground situation as flood devastation left affected communities in Sindh and Balochistan destitute seeking only sustainable livelihoods.

The federal minister was addressing the Donor’s Coordination Group meeting held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which was participated by various donors including United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Italy, Switzerland, US, Canada and Japan, The World Bank, UNIDO, UN Women and UNDP. The donors showed their interest in project concepts shared by the IUCN team and collaborations.

Sherry Rehman said the vulnerable who worked most closely with nature was not in a position to stop exploiting it until they had sustainable livelihoods.

“Let’s not talk about pollyanna sustainable economics. First, we have to get those people on their feet.” The minister shared that when the authorities were providing mosquito nets at the height of water-borne diseases and epidemics because of stagnant water below sea level at various locations there was a serious lack of supplies of mosquito nets.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2022.