Jamshoro, The second two-day international conference on “Consequences of Environmental Disaster: Natural Disasters, Socio-Economic and Management Challenges for Sindh and Pakistan and the Way Forward” has commenced at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. The conference, organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences in collaboration with the Sindh Higher Education Commission, aims to address the pressing challenges posed by environmental disasters through scholarly discourse and expert recommendations. It has drawn environmental experts and scholars from around the globe to present their research and engage in critical discussions on strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters in Pakistan and beyond.

According to University of Sindh, the event was inaugurated at the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Convention Center, with Professor Dr. SM Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission, serving as the chief guest. The conference presided over by Professor (Meritorious) Dr. Muhammad Siddiq Kalhoro, emphasized the urgent need for government action to counter the threats of climate change based on expert recommendations. Vice Chancellor Dr. Kalhoro highlighted the global threat of natural disasters, noting that countries with well-developed strategies, such as Japan, Malaysia, Korea, the United States, Canada, China, and Turkey, experience lower rates of loss of life and property due to their proactive measures.

The conference’s primary objective, as stated by Dr. SM Tariq Rafi, is to collate suggestions from global environmental experts and researchers to formulate actionable recommendations for the provincial and federal governments. This initiative aims to establish policies that would effectively address the challenges of floods, rains, and other natural disasters in Sindh and other parts of the country. Director (Operations) of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, shared the devastating impact of the 2022 rains and floods in Sindh, which affected 1.3 million people, displaced 7.3 million, and resulted in approximately 1100 deaths, underscoring the critical need for effective disaster management strategies.

Professor Dr. David J. Roof from the Center for Economic and Civic Learning at Ball State University, USA, emphasized the vital role of higher education institutions in combating environmental challenges and supporting governments through research-based recommendations. The conference features diverse sessions with scholars and researchers from Sri Lanka, America, Malaysia, Thailand, England, and other countries presenting their findings on environmental disaster management.

The conference will conclude with the formulation of recommendations, which will be presented during the closing ceremony. These recommendations are expected to guide future policies and strategies for managing environmental disasters in Pakistan, marking a significant step towards a more resilient and sustainable future.