The Department of Geography and Disaster Management, University of Kashmir (KU), in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR), Government of Jammu and Kashmir, organised a special event on Monday to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) at the university’s main campus.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
According to a statement issued by the university, the commemoration, themed “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” focused on the importance of investing in disaster prevention and preparedness rather than relying on reactive response measures. The event aimed to highlight the increasing financial and social burden of disasters and the urgent need for risk-informed policies that strengthen community resilience.
In her presidential address, KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Nilofer Khan stated: “Disasters expose the deep inequalities within our societies. The poorest and most vulnerable are often the worst affected and least equipped to recover. Building resilience requires us to address these underlying vulnerabilities through inclusive, equitable, and proactive planning.”
Dean Research KU, Professor Mohammad Sultan Bhat, observed that disasters are becoming increasingly expensive, with global losses amounting to billions of dollars each year. Giasul Haq, Additional Secretary to the Government, DMRRR J&K, stressed the need for coordinated institutional efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure effective implementation of risk reduction strategies at the local level.
In a virtual keynote address, Professor Peter Sammonds from University College London (UCL) said that disasters largely arise from societal vulnerabilities, underlining the need for strong governance, equitable planning, and community preparedness.
Registrar KU, Professor Naseer Iqbal, emphasised the importance of preparedness and the availability of safety equipment during disasters. Dr Jagvir Singh, Scientist-G and Advisor at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, in his online address, highlighted the need to integrate research with community-based approaches to enhance disaster resilience.
Snober Jameel, Under Secretary, DMRRR J&K, emphasised the active role of youth in promoting resilience. Earlier, Professor Pervez Ahmed from the Department of Geography welcomed the participants and outlined the purpose of the event. Proceedings were conducted by Dr Akhtar Alam, while the vote of thanks was presented by Professor G. M. Rather, Head of the Department of Geography, KU.
The event also included students and faculty from allied departments and constituent colleges in a campus road show featuring placards and banners to raise awareness about the critical role of education in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Officials from DMRRR J&K showcased the department’s functions in disaster management, followed by live demonstrations and awareness sessions by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
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