Earth Quake Remembrance Day 2009 at CIIT Abbottabad
Departments of Environmental Sciences and Development Studies, 5 October 2009
On October 8, 2005, the northern areas of Pakistan were shattered by a severe earthquake of 7.6 magnitude affecting 3.5 million population of 10 districts of NWFP and AJK. In remembrance of the worst disaster in the history of Pakistan, Departments of Environmental sciences and Development Studies, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, C(IIT), Abbottabad and ERRA Islamabad organized an “Earthquake Remembrance Day” on October 5, 2009.
Mr. Syed Zaheer Hussain Gardezi, Director WATSAN, ERRA Islamabad graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The opening notes of the day were delivered by Dr. Bahadar Nawab, Head, Department of Development Studies. Mr. Adeel Malik, student of MS program of Sustainable Water Sanitation-Health and Development, gave the introduction of the program of Sustainable Water Sanitation, Health and Development. An important presentation on Rainwater Harvesting at CIIT Abbottabad was given by Romana Jamshed, MS student of same discipline and member of Environment Management Unit (EMU). Akmal Jillani, student of same discipline presented the report on UNICEF funded project on “Water Quality Improvement and Promotion of Hygiene (WAQIPH)” imparted to CIIT Abbottabad.
All presentations were highly appreciated by the audience. The Chief Guest, Mr. Syed Zaheer Hussain Gardezi, briefed the audience about the objectives and activities as well as the pilot plans of ERRA. He also discussed some important activities being performed by ERRA for rainwater harvesting in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan. He mentioned that only 15- 20 % of fresh water is used for drinking and cooking purposes, while remaining 80-85 % is used for washing, bathing and flushing etc. This can lead to major scarcity of freshwater for the community. So the ultimate solution to save potable water is rainwater harvesting at community and household level. He also mentioned that all the buildings constructed by ERRA in earthquake affected areas are designed in such a manner that rainwater can be conserved and harvested.
The last speaker of the day was Ms. Rizwana Warriach, Senior Gender Specialist, ERRA, who discussed an interesting ERRA Gender Policy. The ceremony concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Farooqui, Chairman, Environmental Sciences Department.