Shigar (TDI): Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik, visited Shigar and surrounding local villages alongside UNDP’s Resident Representative, Samuel Rizk.
The visit, that spanned over three days, was aimed at reviewing the multitude of projects undertaken as part of ‘Scaling-up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk reduction in Northern Pakistan’ project.
In addition to sits visits where different projects have been implemented, the Minister and UNDP’s Representative interacted with local communities and reviewed how well prepared they are in the face of climate disasters.
#UNDPinPakistan Resident Representative @SamuelRizk & Hon. Minister @DrMusadikMalik concluded a 3-day joint visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, reviewing @Glof2Pakistan efforts to advance climate resilience. Discussions focused on mobilizing climate financing for communities vulnerable to… pic.twitter.com/JBTTHo4l3d
— UNDP Pakistan (@UNDP_Pakistan) April 28, 2025
Under the GLOF II, twelve Early Warning Systems (EWS) have so far been installed in Shigar, while there are a total of 201 EWS across Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the two most vulnerable regions in Pakistan to climate change.
Dr. Musadik Malik and Samuel Rizk also inaugurated the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Center (CBDRMC) in Barah. This was the sixteenth CBDRMC in GB.
During the visit, Samuel Rizk also met with GB’s Chief Secretary, Abrar Ahmed Mirza, where the “discussions focused on mobilizing climate financing for communities vulnerable to climate threats.”
The Federal Minister and Samuel Rizk also interacted with communities of Khaplu, where fourteen irrigation channels, six Early Warning Systems, 1,650 ft. of protective walls and a community-based disaster risk management center have been set up as part of local capacity building in the face of any climate calamity.
Gilgit Baltistan is on the frontline of the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Flooding, as downpours become more intense and highly unpredictable.
This year, Pakistan is on high alert as the monsoon season will soon set in. Early warnings and disaster preparedness are being amped up to prevent and minimize damage.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
