Action Against Hunger (ACF), CESVI and esteemed international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), joined forces to host a pivotal one-day advocacy seminar shedding light on anticipatory actions and the imperative establishment of shock-responsive social safety nets in Sindh. Held under the auspices of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded project “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness Systems in Sindh,” the seminar was a collaborative effort with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The seminar convened with a comprehensive agenda aimed at advocating for the integration of anticipatory action triggers within the government’s social protection framework, bolstering disaster management funds at provincial and district levels, and fostering synergies between existing disaster management structures and social protection initiatives.
Commencing with a warm welcome from ACF Field Coordinator Hussain Ali Awan, the seminar delved into an array of topics crucial to its overarching objectives. Adil Badshah, an Anticipation Specialist, elucidated the significance of anticipatory actions and its diverse terminologies. Naeem Iqbal from UNFAO delved into the nexus between anticipatory action and social protection, while Dr. Sardar Sarfraz Khan, Chief Meteorologist at PMD Karachi Centre, underscored the pivotal role of impact-based forecasting in delineating triggers and thresholds.Ajay Kumar, Assistant Director at PDMA, Sindh, provided insights into PDMA’s operational framework and collaborative endeavors with various line departments. Salik Hussain, Assistant Director at BISP, shed light on BISP’s objectives and the meticulous beneficiary selection process through NSER, accentuating BISP’s invaluable support during calamities.
The seminar also featured Mohsin Babbar, Communication Specialist at Sindh Social Protection Authority, who outlined SSPA’s ongoing projects and future strategies, with a particular emphasis on disaster response initiatives. A panel discussion, adeptly moderated by Zeeshan Azmat, Project Coordinator at CESVI, underscored the indispensability of disaster management funds at provincial and district levels, with a special focus on budgetary allocations for anticipatory actions aimed at preempting losses from imminent disasters.
In an illuminating exchange during the panel discussion, Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Director (Operations) at PDMA Sindh, proposed augmenting the Benazir Income Support Program’s existing database by incorporating a field for beneficiaries residing in disaster-prone areas.
In his closing remarks, Imdad Siddiqui extended heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their unwavering dedication and active participation throughout the seminar. Siddiqui reiterated PDMA’s unwavering commitment to collaborative efforts with all stakeholders to fortify disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the region. He underscored the imperative for sustained collaboration and proactive measures to fortify Sindh’s resilience for forthcoming generations.
