Govt's prioritisation of climate change mitigation measures welcomed.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) on Friday highlighted the inextricable connection between climate change and poverty.

PPAF welcomed the government's prioritisation of climate change mitigation measures with sensitisation at the highest levels and mass awareness and tree plantation campaigns.

'The impoverished segments of the society bear the major brunt of natural hazards stimulated by climate change. From rising temperatures to floods, heat waves, droughts etc., all take the hardest hit on the economically disadvantaged segments,' said Adnana Rao, who is manager Environment and Social Management at PPAF.

Her message coincided with the World Environment Day being marked on June 5 that Pakistan is hosting this year to call global attention to further minimise the carbon footprint and ensure environmental safeguards were followed.

In its message, PPAF drew attention to the concern where Pakistan was placed on the 8th spot of the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, released by global think-tank, Germanwatch, amongst countries most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.

The report warned that Pakistan continued to rank among the most affected countries both in the long-term index and in the index for the respective year. The report highlighted the perpetual risk to lives and livelihoods with long-term consequences like food insecurity and water shortages extending far across the country.

'Climate change is a major challenge to sustainable development globally,' Adnana Rao said. 'Although Pakistan makes minimal contribution to the global climate change, yet ranks amongst the top eight most vulnerable countries. The changing weather patterns, variability of monsoons, rising temperatures and receding glaciers have incurred financial losses worth billions of rupees to the country.'

She also drew attention to the viral video showing an elderly woman in Hunza helplessly watching her home being pulled to pieces for building blocks, timber and whatever could be saved from an imminent glacial lake outburst at the fast-melting Shisper glacier. Panic had spread across the hamlet of Hassanabad as water discharge from the glacier touched threat levels. People were seen scurrying to save their precious belongings from the looming destruction. While relevant departments struggled to muster a suitable response, multiple families had already been rendered homeless, and hence further vulnerable and poor. The video was being...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT