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Islamabad, October 11, 2012 (PPI-OT): Pakistan hosted a two days’ workshop on Flood Risk Management in South Asia on 9-10 October, 2012 in the Islamabad Hotel, Islamabad. The Workshop was jointly organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), New Delhi, India. Delegates of all the SAARC member states, which also include one State Minister of the Government of Maldives (H.E Mr. Mohamed Ahmed), as well as local representatives from the relevant Federal and Provincial institutions, key UN Agencies and I/NGOs participated in the workshop.
Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, the Federal Minister for Climate Change, while inaugurating the Workshop, said that flooding is an issue confronting many countries of the world particularly South Asia mainly because of the Climate Change effects.
He said that occurrence of floods has been seen increasing both in frequency and magnitude over the years. He added that floods are particularly affecting the developing countries because of their less focus on disaster risk reduction, preparedness, capacity to adapt, lack of resources and technological development. Hence he underlined the importance of collaborative working of SAARC member countries to make model and workable action plans to jointly address the flood risk management.
The Minister stressed the need for action on risks mitigation and adaptation that could not only prevent the loss of human lives and property but also save the economic resources for sustainable development. Mr. Mehmood Alam, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir and Dr. O.P. Mishra, Head of SDMC, New Delhi, India also spoke on the occasion.
During the two days of interactive sessions of the workshop the resource persons both from in country and abroad gave their valuable resource input besides sharing of experiences and lessons learnt by the workshop participants.
The Workshop managed to consolidate cogent recommendations in shape of a road map for flood risk management at the SAARC region level. This road map shall be presented in the next SAARC Summit for approval and subsequent implementation by the SAARC member countries.
Mr. Changez Khan Jamali, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, who was the chief guest at the closing session of the workshop, expressed firm resolve and assurance of the fullest political support for fulfilment of Pakistan’s national obligation towards regional commitments under the SAARC charter. The Minister presented certificates and shields on this occasion to the workshop participants.
For more information, contact:
Ahmed Kamal
Spokesperson
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Tel: +9251 9215412
Cell: +92300 5278981 and +92331-5657779
Email: maf@ndma.gov.pk