ISLAMABAD: Institution of Engineers Pakistan, Rawalpindi-Islamabad (IEP-RI) held a seminar here on Saturday to create awareness among the people about the devastating impact of a natural and man-made disaster.
It was also aimed at preparing the engineering community to help in mitigating human sufferings in the wake of such disaster.
The seminar, presided over by IEP-RI Chairman Engineer Hafiz M Ehsanul Haq Qazi, was largely attended by local and central council members of the organisation.
The event was the part of continuing professional development programme being arranged by the institution on regular basis for the capacity-building of young engineers.
Engineer Muhammad Abid, a renowned expert on disaster risk management, was the keynote speaker who gave a detailed presentation on various aspects of disaster and its management to avert the losses.
He underlined the need for evolving a proper risk management mechanism and preparing the people to effectively respond to natural calamities. Global warming system, climate change and fast melting of glaciers are posing a serious threat, for which everyone needed to get prepared so that dangerous effects could be reduced.
Muhammad Abid, who is engaged in various disaster-management projects in the county as a consultant for some national and international organisations, drew the attention towards the risky impact of the man-made disaster like emission of nuclear and chemical gases. He called for controlling environmental degradation, including cutting of trees, as safety measures.
He also called for developing a strong rescue, evacuation and rehabilitation plan at the level of the relevant organisations to achieve the desired results.
The IEP-RI chairman announced that they would hold a number of professional development activities during the year for young engineers. He hoped that newly-graduates in the field of engineering will join the organisation to learn from seniors for their proper grooming and effective role in practical life.
