Romina Khurshid Alam Urges Stronger Climate Risk Management Strategies to Combat Disasters

ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (Alliance News) – Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, highlighted the urgent need for effective climate risk management strategies across Pakistan.

It is important she said national, provincial, and district levels to prepare for natural disasters and reduce their significant economic, social, and environmental impact.

Speaking at the “Humanitarian Futures” event organized by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) on Thursday, Alam emphasized the necessity of safeguarding vulnerable communities and ensuring the sustainability of lives and livelihoods in the face of escalating climate challenges.

The event saw the participation of government officials, representatives from local and international humanitarian agencies, climate scientists, meteorologists, and academics.

Alam discussed Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather events such as devastating floods, heatwaves, droughts, desertification, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which are increasingly affecting the country’s population, especially marginalized groups.

She elaborated on the far-reaching impacts of these natural calamities, pointing out the disastrous consequences of the 2022 floods that displaced millions, destroyed crops, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Alam also referenced the ongoing climate struggles and stressed that despite limited resources, the government is committed to mitigating the devastating impacts of climate change.

Alam called for urgent action to address issues like flood resilience and disaster risk reduction, particularly focusing on the protection of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure.

She highlighted initiatives discussed at the COP29 conference in Baku, including the global shield for climate justice, climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy solutions, and various climate finance schemes to support Pakistan’s green recovery.

Moreover, she drew attention to the alarming water scarcity exacerbated by melting glaciers and rivers, which directly threaten agriculture, a key economic sector.

Alam emphasized the importance of investing in long-term solutions to address water shortages and climate-related agricultural challenges.

The Prime Minister’s Coordinator also advocated for improved access to international climate funds, underscoring the necessity of climate finance to bolster Pakistan’s resilience against climate impacts.

In her closing remarks, she stressed the role of disaster risk financing in the global loss and damage agenda, highlighting the potential of innovative financial tools and data-driven strategies in managing rising climate costs.

Romina concluded by reaffirming the importance of international cooperation to address the climate crisis, stressing that the joint efforts of global partners are vital in ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the world’s most vulnerable populations.