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LAHORE, Oct 13 (APP): Life for Guardian (LGF) and the Pakistan Partnership Initiative (PPI) jointly organized a seminar here at Don Bosco Technical Institute, in connection with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing disaster preparedness and community resilience.
Speaking at the event, Mehnaz Javed of Life for Guardian said the theme “Funds Resilience, Not Disaster” highlights the importance of investing in prevention and preparedness rather than merely responding to emergencies.
Former Punjab Minister Ejaz Alam Augustine, who participated as chief guest, said
that both educational institutions and communities must be trained to protect lives.
“We ourselves are responsible for much of the destruction around us, there are more
tree cutters than planters,” he remarked. Praising the Pakistan Army, PDMA, and
Rescue 1122 for their services during floods, he urged long-term ten-year planning
to effectively deal with future crises.
Additional Director General Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Nawaz Manek
underscored the need to reconnect with nature, noting that artificial lifestyles had
intensified environmental challenges. He called for mandatory industrial treatment
plants, extensive tree plantation, and better public transport to curb pollution.
General Secretary Pakistan Climate Action Network (PCAN), Dureshwar said that
climate change and disaster risk reduction were interlinked and require community
participation. Catherine Sapna (CTS) emphasized empowering women and children
during crises, while senior journalist Kamran Chaudhry said responsible journalism
plays a vital role in spreading awareness.
Rescue 1122 representative Haider Ali shared that over 20 million citizens had been
trained under the Life Saver Program, adding that Rescue 1122 responds to more
than 1,000 emergencies daily, with swift ambulance and motorbike services ensuring
timely assistance.
Other speakers, including Faniyaz Jan (Provincial DRR Coordinator), Sajid Christopher (HFO), and Yousaf Benjamin (Dignity First), stressed that collaboration between government and civil society, reforestation, population management, and use of satellite technology were key to reducing disaster risks.
The seminar concluded with Ejaz Alam Augustine presenting commemorative shields
to participants. Attendees reaffirmed their collective resolve to build a safe, resilient,
and sustainable Pakistan for future generations.
The event was attended by representatives of social organizations, educational institutions, community leaders, and a large number of youth.