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Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction

Training workshop Report

The world is warming at an unprecedented rate. Glaciers and ice caps are melting, sea water levels are rising, rainfall patterns are changing, drought conditions are affecting more and more of the world’s land mass and water resources are depleting. Recent disasters in the world alert the expert about preventive action to minimize the risk to life in disaster. In 2005 at the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan, the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) was adopted by 168 countries as the key global strategy to implement disaster risk reduction. Climate change was acknowledged as an important underlying risk for disasters. The HFA was adopted by the UN General Assembly later that year.

The Training workshop on Climate change and disaster risk reduction was held in Jhelum, Pakistan, on 5 November 2009, and Organized by New World Hope Organization. The workshop was attended by about 35 participants, including representatives from the teachers, and school children and local community leaders, all of whom discussed the importance of disaster education for children and its integration into the school curriculum as well as talked about climate change and its impacts. The training workshop was inaugurated by the Mr. Nasir Abbas “Chairperson of CORDOVA Education System”. Mr. Mohammad Shabaz “Director of A1 Skill Development Organization” was also present during the program. 35 Participants from local community leaders, teachers, youth leaders, as well as students were present.

New World Hope Organization organized a Training workshop on Climate change and disaster risk reduction for local community leaders, teachers, youth leaders,  as well as student and invited Mr. Nasir Abbas “Chairperson of CORDOVA Education System to share knowledge with the participants. He has earned the M.Sc.(Eco Hon) , MBA (HRM), M.A (Ling). Mr. Nasir Abbas has presented Variours workshop at National Level. Training workshop was commenced by recital of holy Quran, and then General Secretary (NWHO) welcomed the participants and explained the purpose of the Training workshop he also introduced  Mr. Nasir Abbas, Mr M.Shabaz, Ms. Saeeda Tasnim, Mr.M.Basharat and  thanked them for Participating.

Mr. Nasir Abbas's Presentation:
Mr. Nasir Abbas gave a presentation on Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change. The presentation gave a detailed overview of the geographical and demographic background of Pakistan and the varying impacts of climate change on different regions due to its diversity and geological conditions. He mentioned about the observed changes in climate and weather events in Pakistan.  He said that climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones and droughts and is accelerating the melting of glaciers, causing sea leave to rise.

He also said that in Pakistan we can already see the impacts of climate change on communities as they are feeling the difference in weather. Changes in the climate denote that the incidence of flash flooding and extreme flooding will increase during the next few decades, variable monsoons also anticipated could mean more droughts. Extreme weather patterns have been observed in the past few years with the hottest day recorded in Pakistan after 78 years on, 09 June 2007. Due to these fluctuations in weather patterns monsoon rains have either started coming early or are delayed and unlike the usual pattern the rains occur in short heavy bursts. The melting of glaciers in Himalayas and Hindu Kush cause sudden increases in the river volume resulting in flash flooding in areas not historically prone to flooding. This impacts not only the populations in mountains but also effects heavily populated plain areas causing massive destruction to crops, shelter and lives. The human development report of United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) says that in Pakistan climate models simulate agricultural yield losses of 6-9 percent for wheat with a 1 centigrade increase in temperature.

Afterwards, his presentation gave an in depth analysis of the possible impacts of climate change on various resources including health and emphasized on the impact of climate change on the society and especially on the involvement of community and the efforts required by the individual level.

Mr. Mohammad Shabaz's Presentation:
Mr. Mohammad Shabaz gave a presentation on Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness and Response. He explained that protection come first and evacuation second. He also demonstrated protection and evacuation drill with students of CORDOVA Education System. He also talked about Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

He said entire world is concerned about the climate change while we are totally unaware of its dangerous outcomes and neglecting this future disaster completely, adding that reduction in water availability, drastic reduction in cereal production, decline of livestock production and many others problems could be faced due to climate change disaster. He said our country is ranked amongst the top 10 countries in Asia that will be impacted by climate change and it requires efficient response mechanism that caters the needs of adaptation to changing climates and an ability to manage disaster.  

Besides other things Mr. Mohammad Shabaz  taught the following points that help at time of earthquake;

         Preventive action;
            01- Make the shelves, cupboards safe so the things won't fall on you when earthquake hit
            02- Keep first aid box, water bottle, biscuit, blanket, torch / light, etc. in a bag, and bring this bag                    with you, so that will be handy after evacuation.
            Protection
            01- To protect yourself, hide under table or something when earthquake hit

He also taught  the best way to protect yourself and your family

If there is nothing to hide under, move against a wall, in a doorway, or to an inside corner away from windows, and cover your face and head.

•Move away from anything glass (windows, cabinets).
•Do not run outside during the earthquake (many people are killed by glass and debris falling from the outside of buildings).
•Watch for falling objects (plaster, bricks, light fixtures, ceiling tiles).
•Do not use elevators (you may become stuck between floors).
•Do not be surprised if the fire alarm or sprinkler system comes on.

   While driving
   •Pull to the side and stop
   •Don’t stop under wires or an overpass.
   •Wait in your car for the shaking to stop.

   Outside
   •Move away from buildings, trees, wires.

   In a Wheelchair
   •Stay where you are unless very hazardous.
   •Move to cover if possible.
   •Lock wheels.
   •Protect your face and head.

Evacuation;
*don't panic, don't run and push other people, make queue, protect your head with hands, bag or something and stay calm.
*if you are bare feet put your shoes on to protect your feet.

Post Evacuation;
*Do not go back in the house after evacuation, to pick anything even if the earthquake has stopped. Building or part of it may fall and toll injury or death

He also showed DVD that explains what to do before, during and after an earthquake?

Ms. Saeeda Tasnim's Presentation:
Ms. Saeeda Tasnim of (Principl   CORDOVA Education System), in his presentation, discussed the impact of climate change on health and adaptation strategies in the mountainous areas of Pakistan. He explained that the regional impacts of climate change include: the disappearance of the local rainy season, ; the early melting of snow due to  increased temperatures; droughts during summer and associated  effects on agriculture; and a rise in water-borne diseases with some decline in respiratory diseases.

Mr. Mohammad Basharat's Presentation:
Mr. Mohammad Basharat gave presentations on topics related to climate change, on social protection on the basis of assessing disaster losses, trends of extreme weather and climate prediction.
His presentation focussed on social protection on the basis of assessing disaster losses according to the possibilities for future disaster reduction. He outlined four situations of social protection:

Potential for significant loss reduction
      for general public
      for high value or high risk items

Losses not preventable but avoidable by:
      permanent exclusion
      the nomad option
      the evacuation or flight option

Preventable situations
      for the general public
      for high value or high risk activities, sites or personnel

Non preventable and unavoidable situations

At end of the Training workshop NWHO thanked all the participants and speakers

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