ISLAMABAD: The Uni­ted Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has successfully completed a $3.7 million project to strengthen disaster preparedness and response in coastal areas and reduce tsunami risks and their potential impact on coastal communities in Pakistan.

The project, named Streng­then­ing Tsunami and Ear­th­­quake Pre­pared­­ness in Coastal Areas of Pakistan, was completed in partnership with the Economic Affairs Division and PDMAs in Sindh and Balo­chistan, and supported by Japan.

The coastal project’s success in strengthening disaster preparedness and response has laid a foundation for continued resilience in the coastal communities in the country. Through the project, the UNDP has addressed an important development challenge in the coastal districts of Malir and Keamari in Sindh and Gwadar in 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 prioritised gender equity in its approach to mitigate coastal hazards.

Addressing the closing ceremony to commemorate the successful completion of the project on Friday, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk said the project has concluded, but the resilient, empowered, and knowledgeable communities and institutions it leaves behind will continue to make a difference.

Speaking on the occasion, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada said his country has gained substantial knowledge and experience in climate and disaster risk management, preparedness, and response through its historical frequency of natural disasters.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2024