Islamabad, 23 August 2024 (TDI): In partnership with the Economic Affairs Division and PDMAs in Sindh and Balochistan, and supported by Japan, the UNDP organized the closing ceremony to commemorate the successful completion of $3.7 million project ‘Strengthening Tsunami and Earthquake Preparedness in Coastal Areas of Pakistan’ in Islamabad on Friday.
The project’s success in strengthening disaster preparedness and response has laid a foundation for continued resilience in the coastal communities in Pakistan.
Through the project, the UNDP has addressed an important development challenge in the coastal districts of Malir, West/Keamari Karachi, and Gwadar in Sindh and Balochistan, by reducing tsunami risks and their potential impact on coastal communities.
This was achieved through the revision of guidelines for earthquake and tsunami preparedness and improving the disaster response system and preparedness capacity of vulnerable coastal communities.
The project also prioritized gender equity in its approach to mitigate coastal hazards.
UNDP is the leading United Nations (UN) organization fighting to end the injustice of inequality, poverty, and climate change.
Addressing the ceremony, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk said that the project has concluded, but the resilient, empowered, and knowledgeable communities and institutions it leaves behind will continue to make a difference.
He said that the collaboration with Japan has been instrumental in building a more resilient future.
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mitsuhiro Wada, said that its historical frequency of natural disasters, Japan has gained substantial knowledge and experience in climate and disaster risk management, preparedness, and response.
Japan’s Development Cooperation Charter underlined the significance of disaster risk reduction for realizing sustainable development and poverty eradication, he said.
The envoy added that Japan was committed to promoting these efforts that leverage expertise in this area.
Wajahat Ahmed, Assistant Director (Civil), PDMA Sindh, said that this project marks a major milestone in the collective efforts to enhance disaster resilience.
He said that it has testified to the power of collaboration, expertise, and a shared commitment to saving precious lives.
Let us take the lessons learned and apply them to further enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in the Coastal Belt, making them more resilient to natural calamities, he added.
