Awantipora: To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) held a day-long workshop on Monday.
The event titled ‘Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future’ featured inaugural, poster and technical sessions.
The inaugural session started with a screening of a short film on Disaster Management produced by Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC) highlighting disaster risks and preparedness.
In his presidential address, Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST, emphasized on the disaster vulnerabilities and the need to devise mitigation strategies and integration thereof in course curricula from School level onwards.
President, Nepal Centre for Disaster Management, Prof Bishal Nath Upreti who was the chief guest on the occasion, shared a four-pronged strategy to mitigate disaster risk.
“These include having a clear understanding of the disasters, improving governance, investing in disaster preparedness and enhancing a response mechanism,”. He added that every year, tens of thousands of people die because of cyclones. “Disasters are not going to stop, but we need to work on our disaster preparedness,” he said.
Guest of honour and Under Secretary, DMRRR, Government of J&K, Snober Jameel, said, there is a need to generate awareness among youth to build a resilient future and help them be prepared to fight any disaster.
While lauding the IUST for organising the workshop, she said, this is a platform for all of us to “share our knowledge and learn from the experts.”
IUST observes ‘Disaster Risk Reduction’ day
