Empowering Balochistan, Pakistan: Officials complete 10-day disaster preparedness training
To enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities, ten officials from the Government of Balochistan, Pakistan, successfully completed a 10-day training programme on disaster mitigation and management. Conducted in Islamabad, the training equipped participants with essential knowledge and skills to effectively address disaster-related challenges in Balochistan.
The training programme offered a comprehensive orientation on disaster mitigation and management, equipping participants with tools and strategies to minimise the risks and impacts of natural disasters. Over the course of the training, participants engaged in a series of exposure visits to key stakeholder organisations involved in disaster management. These visits allowed them to learn best practices, observe on-ground operations, and gain insights into the latest approaches in disaster risk reduction.
The inauguration ceremony was co-chaired by Mr Bakat Ullah Kakar, Project Director of the Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project (BIWRMDP) and Mr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan. Both emphasised the critical importance of building institutional capacities to effectively manage the growing risks posed by climate change and other environmental challenges in Balochistan. They stressed the significance of climate-resilient infrastructure at the provincial level, drawing attention to the destruction caused by the floods of 2022 and 2023, and underscored the urgency of implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The floods of 2022 affected more than 33 million People in Pakistan and 20.6 million people required humanitarian assistance. 2.3 million estimated houses were damaged or destroyed and 1,731 estimated flood related deaths were reported by the Government of Pakistan.
Throughout the training, participants had the opportunity to engage with various organisations, including national and provincial disaster management authorities, the National Disaster Risk Management Fund, the Rescue 1122 emergency response centre, the Global Change Impact Study Centre, provincial forest departments, National Agriculture Research Centre, and the Recharge Pakistan programme.
The 10-day training workshop culminated in a certificate distribution ceremony, recognising the dedication and active participation of the government officials. With this enhanced knowledge and exposure, the officials are now better equipped to apply disaster mitigation strategies in Balochistan, contributing to the region’s resilience and safety.
The training, held from 25 September to 4 October 2024, was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of key government stakeholders in disaster management, aiming to ensure a coordinated and effective response to emergencies. It was led by Dr Syed Mehmood Nasir and Mr Hammad Saeed from IUCN Pakistan.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Hammad Saeed
Manager, Communications and Knowledge Management
IUCN Pakistan, Islamabad Country Office
Cell. +92 307 7773801
E-mail: [email protected]