Awareness campaign launched to sensitize masses during natural disasters

Farid Shinwari

PESHAWAR: While keeping in view the damages caused by catastrophic natural disasters in parts of the province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) has initiated an extensive disaster awareness drive to sensitize and mobilize masses to take precautionary steps during disasters.

The mass awareness campaign was launched on Saturday in provincial city of KP under which pamphlets and leaflets were distributed among residents, motorists and commuters to get them attentive with regard to natural disasters which cause substantial damages.

However, director human resources, Kabir Afridi of PMDA, deputy director Muhammad Shakeel along with secretary regional transport authority (RTA) and other officials of PDMA took part in campaign and distributed pamphlets among people on various roads in city.

While talking to media on the occasion, Kabir Afridi, said that risk and uncertainties are increasing in the region owing to climate change, greater frequency of extreme events, warmer temperature and increased incidence of temperature influenced disasters. These factors are causing damages and disasters in the region and affect large portion of population, he added.

 

He admitted that natural disasters could not be stopped but proper planning and strategy could help reducing the damages caused by natural disasters. The aim of initiating campaign is to motivate people to adopt safety measures to mitigate the risks during disasters, he stated.

This campaign has been kicked off to raise awareness among residents about the importance of taking precautionary steps during natural disasters, said Taimur Ali, media coordinator PDMA. Special teams are visiting schools, colleges and community across the province to conduct awareness sessions, workshops and mock exercises to cope wth natural disaster, he added.

Following the direction of director general PMDA in this regard, he further said they have evolved future action of plan to hold seminars and awareness walk for sensitization of citizens.

Sharing further details, he said that such awareness campaigns have been launched by district disaster management officers (DDMOs) on districts level and distributed posters and brochures amongst the people on the roads containing information about what to do during earthquake, landslides and other natural disasters.

These posters would also be posted on public transport including rickshaws and buses to reach out maximum people and every corner and street of cities. PDMA KP has also displayed streamer and banners to educate the masses, he informed.

However, an awareness campaign would provide people with information on safety precautions they can take during natural calamities. This campaign is part of the PDMA comprehensive print and electronic media campaign to create awareness among the masses and will remained continue for a period of one month, Taimur clarified.