Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar and UNDP GLOF-II Project and Climate Change, Forestry, Environment & Wildlife Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Celebrated the International Day for disaster risk reduction on Today, October 13, 2023.

This is a GCF-funded GLOF-II project, led by UNDP, is addressing the pressing challenge of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to climate change-induced vulnerabilities. KP, known for its stunning landscapes, faces imminent risks from glacier retreat and GLOFs, endangering lives and infrastructure. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women Peshawar is privileged to host 2023 IDDR event to ensure gender inclusiveness in disaster risk reduction strategies and recognize the unique role of women in disaster resilience.

 The aim of this program is to raise awareness about the significance of disaster risk reduction in KP province and the broader region, to foster collaboration and partnerships among various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and communities, to enhance disaster resilience, to empower local communities, particularly women, with knowledge and tools for effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery and to highlight and showcase best practices and innovative approaches in disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation efforts.

The seminar started with the welcome remarks by the Vice Chancellor, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmad (T,I) and he Keynote Speaker of the program is Muhammad Anwar Khan, DG, Environmental protection Agency expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Chief guest Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim Jan, Minister Higher Education, Archives & Libraries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Prof. Dr Safia in her address highlighted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing multiple challenges due to the climate change induced threats Including floods, glaciers retreat and the formation of precarious glacial lakes which are grave threats to thousands of human lives livelihood and infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We should raise awareness about the significance of disaster reduction in province by showcasing innovation and best practices

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim Jan, Minister Higher Education, Archives & Libraries Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave a comprehensive presentation on multiple challenges due to the climate change induced threats Including floods, glaciers retreat and the formation of precarious glacial lakes  which are grave threats to thousands of human lives livelihood and infrastructure.At the end he shared that we should adopt nature based solution and should play positive role in climate changes by adopting new technologies and spread awareness about it.

Dr. Hamida Bibi and Dr. Sadaf Bashir are Participants of Developing Next Generation of Female Environmentalists (DNGFE) project. It is a collaborative project between SBBWUP and University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States.The DNGFE project is funded by Departement of State through US Embassy Islamabad.

To build resilience to these environmental disasters the Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in partnership with GLOF project funded by Green Climate Fund (GCF) led by United Nations Development program (UNDP) has organized IDDR commemoration. Dr. Muhammad Qasim Jan, Minister of High Education Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Prof. Dr. Safia Ahmad appreciated the efforts of Dr. Hamida, Inchagre Department of History and Pakistan Studies , Ms Tashfeen Zia, Deputy Registrar Affiliation & Monitoring Section, Dr.Sadaf Bashir Incharge Department of Political Science and Ms. Sania Siraj Department of Art the entire team.

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