Hyderabad, Sindh

In response to the rising threat of natural disasters such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, organized a critical consultative workshop in Hyderabad on Monday October 21, 2024. The event focused on enhancing disaster preparedness through robust academic collaboration, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and disaster management authorities.

The workshop was organized in partnership with DG ECHO, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), CESVI, and the Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP),

The workshop, titled “Bridging Academic Collaboration for Disaster Management to Mitigate Climate Risks,” brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from academia, disaster management authorities, and international development organizations, to discuss and develop strategies for building resilience and addressing climate challenges.

Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director (Operations) PDMA Sindh, inaugurated the session as the Chief Guest. In his opening remarks, he underscored the increasing vulnerability of Sindh to natural disasters, citing recent floods and heatwaves as alarming examples. “These rising risks demand an urgent focus on preparedness, and academia plays a crucial role in researching and providing solutions to mitigate these climate challenges,” emphasized Mr. Siddiqui, calling for immediate action and increased collaboration between research institutions and disaster management authorities.

The workshop aimed at fostering collaboration between PDMA, District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), and various academic institutions. This partnership is envisioned to advance research on disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and resilience-building strategies. Ms. Fozia Aziz, Executive Director, FRDP, applauded PDMA Sindh’s leadership in disaster response and emphasized the importance of integrating academic research into disaster policy formulation. “Engaging with academic institutions will not only enhance research but also empower the youth to contribute to evidence-based policies and strategies for disaster management,” she said.

Read – Pakistan Deluge: Disaster, but more than natural

Key discussions during the event centered on improving disaster risk governance, developing resilient infrastructure, and embedding disaster risk reduction strategies into graduate and postgraduate curricula. Representatives from leading universities, including the University of Karachi, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sir Syed University Karachi, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, Bahria University Karachi, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) Karachi and Indus University, actively participated in crafting a roadmap for academic engagement with inclusive disaster management initiatives.

The senior Researchers as participants from various research institutions acknowledged the critical role of universities in conducting localized research on climate risks and emphasized that academic insights are essential for shaping effective policies. Collaborative efforts between PDMA Sindh and academic institutions will contribute significantly to institutional preparedness and community resilience across Sindh.

In concluding remarks, Mubashar Hassan, Disaster Preparedness and DRR Expert, WHH, lauded the workshop’s outcomes and stressed the need to formalize this partnership. He advocated for structured collaboration between PDMA Sindh and universities to enhance anticipatory actions and equip future generations with the skills necessary to address disaster risks.

This workshop marks a significant step toward integrating academic expertise into disaster preparedness efforts in Sindh. The collaboration is expected to foster long-term solutions for reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience against the growing threats of climate change and natural disasters. (PR)

Read: Climate Catastrophes, Unpreparedness, and the Plight of People

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Jamshoro

Consultative Workshop on Hydro-Agro Informatics (HAI) Centre Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project was held at U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, in association with Sindh Irrigation Department, Agriculture Supply & Price Department, SIDA, PCMU, Planning & Development Department, USPCAS-W Mehran UET, FAO and The World Bank.

The FAO will establish an HAI center to facilitate the farmers, government departments, Irrigation, and various stakeholders. The HAI will offer Flow & Irrigation Service Monitoring, Water Accounting, Supporting Strategic Water Planning, Flood & Drought assessment reports and services, Crop Monitoring Services, Agriculture Water Productivity, Storage Monitoring, Data Services, Quality Development Activities, groundwater, Waterlogging and Salinity information and services. The farmers and other stakeholders will benefit from the real-time data to increase yield, water management, and conservation.

The event’s chief guest was Nazeer Ursani, Project Coordinator PCMU. Prof Dr. Taha Hussain Ali Vice Chancellor Mehran UET Jamshoro, experts from World Bank, Mr. Greg Browder (Global Lead for Water Resource Management) and Mr. Poolad Karimi (Irrigation Specialist) and experts from FAO, Mr. Fabio Grita (International Consultant) and Ahmed Junaid Memon (Team Lead) were present in the event.

The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Director USPCAS-W, Mehran UET, delivered the presentation on the Monitoring and Decision Support System for HAI based on research at USPCAS-W, MUET. Mr. Greg Browder gave the presentation on The Role of HAI in SWAT, project objectives, structure and components of the HAI program. Mr. Poolad Karimi presented Potential HAI Services and examples. Ahmed Junaid Memon explained the Conceptual design and potential services of the HAI Program.

Various stakeholders, farmers, government officials, faculty members and experts from the different departments attended the inaugural event. The event ended with an interactive Q&A session. (PR)

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