Comprehensive strategy crucial to address natural disasters & climate change: Governor

QUETTA, Oct 13 (APP): Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has called for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address the growing challenges posed by natural disasters and climate change, stressing that effective planning, timely response and sustainable resource management are essential to protecting lives and livelihoods across the province.

In a message issued on the occasion of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, the governor highlighted Balochistan’s vulnerability to recurring natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods and droughts. He observed that the province often faces one calamity after another, leaving communities struggling to recover from the destruction and economic losses caused by successive emergencies.

He said these disasters pose serious threats not only to human lives but also to critical infrastructure, agriculture, livestock and the economic resources of the public. The repeated occurrence of such events, he added, underscores the need to strengthen disaster preparedness and develop effective mechanisms to reduce risks and minimise damage.

The governor stressed that funds allocated for disaster management must be utilised transparently and efficiently, with clear performance indicators to ensure accountability and confirm that relief and rehabilitation initiatives deliver tangible benefits to affected communities. He emphasised that disaster management efforts should be assessed on the basis of their effectiveness and their impact on people’s lives.

He said all relevant institutions must give equal importance to preventive measures before disasters strike, timely relief operations during emergencies and the rehabilitation of affected areas. Rather than treating natural disasters solely as emergencies, he called for preparedness and risk reduction to become integral components of government planning and development policies.

Acknowledging that advances in science and technology have not made it possible to prevent natural disasters entirely, Mandokhail said their devastating effects could be substantially reduced through scientific research, accurate weather forecasting, prudent planning and the effective application of modern technology.

He also drew attention to Balochistan’s worsening water challenges, particularly declining groundwater levels and the persistent threat of drought. To address these issues, he stressed the importance of rainwater harvesting, constructing small dams, ensuring the sustainable use of groundwater and expanding tree-planting campaigns across the province.

The governor further called for stronger coordination between provincial and district-level institutions responsible for disaster management, alongside improvements in the operational capacity of rescue and emergency response agencies. He said better coordination and preparedness would enable authorities to respond more efficiently to emergencies and provide timely assistance to vulnerable communities.

Mandokhail expressed confidence that a coordinated effort involving federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions, environmental experts and local communities could establish a comprehensive disaster management system capable of addressing present risks and future challenges.

He emphasised that building a disaster-resilient Balochistan would require sustained commitment, responsible use of resources and a shift towards preventive planning, ensuring that communities are better prepared to withstand natural calamities and recover more quickly from their effects.