Flood Resilience Workshop Helps Improve Water Governance | News Article

Islamabad, May 16, 2023: The Embassy of the Netherlands organized a workshop on flood resilience with recommendations to reduce the risk of water-related disasters in Pakistan.

A workshop titled “Pakistan’s Resilience to Floods: Mitigating the Risk of Water-Related Disasters” was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. Representatives of international organizations, development partners, foreign missions and the government of Pakistan attended the workshop.

Federal Flood Commission Chairman Ahmed Kamal thanked the Dutch experts for their contributions in the immediate aftermath of the 2022 floods and proposed long-term cooperation between Pakistan and the Netherlands on water resources and flood management through the Ministry of Water Resources.

Dutch Ambassador Mrs Henny de Vries said the floods reminded him of the 1953 Dutch flood. At that time, the Pakistani people supported the Dutch people. unforgettable. The ambassador said the Netherlands has proven expertise in water management and Dutch technical assistance provides possible solutions for Pakistan’s flood management and resilience, she said. She also believes that 2022’s disastrous floods will provide a unique opportunity for reflection and growth for Pakistan’s water sector.

Speaking at the workshop, Minister of Federal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Afsan Iqbal praised the Netherlands’ continued support for water disasters and flood protection. He said that Pakistan is the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change and that the Government of Pakistan should work with the international community to leverage its knowledge and expertise to develop resilient and adaptive climate change measures to mitigate future flood disasters. He said he was trying to build some infrastructure.

This workshop was based on the findings of the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team. After the 2022 floods, Pakistan asked the Netherlands for technical assistance in flood and water management. The mission visited the affected areas in Sindh and Balochistan provinces and prepared a report on long-term mitigation of extreme events such as floods. During the workshop, the DRR team, along with other stakeholders, explored opportunities for further collaboration and combined expertise.