UoP Commemorates National/International DRR Day with Focus on "Fund Resilience, Not Disasters"

The Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar (UoP) organized an awareness walk and event to commemorate Pakistan National Resilience Day and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (observed annually on October 13). The event, held on the UoP campus, centred on the theme "Fund Resilience, Not Disasters". The participant in the event advocated for increased investment in proactive disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation measures.

The commemoration began with a peaceful walk from the CDPM Building to the PUTA Chowk. A diverse group, including students, faculty members, media personnel, government officials, and representatives from civil society organizations participated. They carried placards and banners promoting public awareness messages on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, aligning with the event's title "Fund Resilience Not Disasters."

Director CDPM Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali addressed the participants, stressing the enormous importance of the day for the nation. He noted that marking October as resilience day reminds us of the profound losses, injuries, damages and miseries caused by disasters. The commemoration aims to raise awareness about impending disasters, compelling the community to adapt to the changing realities of life and focus on climate change adaptation to minimize disaster risk to the maximum extent possible. October 8th also highlights the need to inspire, educate, and raise awareness to initiate coordinated efforts both vertically and horizontally to mitigate the negative impacts of disasters. Dr. Ali stressed that the damages of the 2025 floods demand a critical need for an inclusive DRR approach through better planning, anticipatory actions, investment in climate change education, awareness and capacity-building, which are crucial for a resilient Pakistan.

A student of the Department of Social Work participating in the walk stated that the event demonstrates a strong commitment to disaster risk reduction and resilience. Participants collectively urged governments and partners to commit to implementing risk reduction and climate resilience activities to ensure community safety, protect economies and contribute to a resilient Pakistan.

Speaking to the media, CDPM Assistant Professor Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Jan strongly advocated for the "Fund Resilience, Not Disasters" theme, calling for a critical paradigm shift from costly post-disaster relief to proactive prevention and investment. He emphasized that the economic logic is irrefutable, with every dollar invested in risk reduction saving from $4 to $11 in averted losses, making it an absolute necessity for Pakistan. For the nation's sustainable future, this principle requires a multi-sectoral approach, focusing on sophisticated early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, shifting focus towards anticipatory actions, implementing nature-based solutions and empowering local communities.