PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday observed the International Disasters Risk Reduction Day.

A function to this effect was held at the University of Peshawar (UoP), according to a statement issued here.

Dr Azmat Ullah Wazir, PDMA’s director relief, told the participants that risk and uncertainties were increasing in the region due to climate change, greater frequency of extreme weather events, warmer temperature and increased incidence of temperature-influenced disasters and pests.

He said the world in general and Pakistan in particular was badly suffering as a result of climate change, and due to uneven distribution of monsoon rains, floods and famine had become fate of the region. He said many communities in Pakistan were living in earthquake and disaster prone areas while many were at risk of cyclone and other extreme weather events.

Mr Wazir said PDMA had taken special initiatives by introducing DRM strategic unit, early warning systems, strengthening provincial emergency operation centre and district disaster management units in order to make the province disaster resilient.

On the occasion, parliamentary secretary for relief, rehabilitation and settlement department, Nurgis Ali, said PDMA was playing a vital role in providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected communities.

Professor Mohammad Rasul Jan, UoP Vice Chancellor, and dean faculty of life & environmental sciences, Professor Amir Nawaz Khan, highlighted the importance of disaster risk reduction and making the province disaster resilient.