LARKANA: All is set to convene the Unesco-sponsored five-day workshop titled ‘Disaster risk reduction for the safeguarding of cultural heritage in Pakistan’ starting on Monday (Nov 18) at Mohenjo Daro.

Sources at the ancient heritage site, sharing the concept note on Sunday, said that the disaster risk reduction (DRR) referred to the proactive approach of minimising the risk of disasters and mitigating their impacts on communities, infrastructure and environment. It is often associated with natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods and storms.

When disasters strike, cultural assets can be severely damaged or lost, undermining the social fabric and sense of belonging within affected populations.

The DRR for cultural heritage involves strategies, policies and practices aimed at reducing the vulnerability of cultural assets to both natural and man-made hazards. Pakistan, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, faces significant challenges when it comes to preserving its cultural assets in the face of natural and man-made disasters, the concept note said.

The country is prone to a range of disasters, including earthquakes, floods, droughts and severe weather events, which pose serious risks to its diverse cultural heritage, ranging from ancient archaeological sites and historic buildings to intangible cultural practices. In recent years, there has been growing recognition in Pakistan of the the need to integrate DRR strategies with cultural heritage preservation to safeguard the country’s unique identity and history.

Unesco is instrumental in encouraging Pakistan to adopt policies and actions that reduce risks to cultural heritage, and played a significant role in the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) process, after the 2022 flood, particularly in ensuring that cultural heritage was integrated into recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Involving a wide range of cultural heritage professionals in DRR is essential for the comprehensive and effective safeguarding of both tangible and intangible heritage during and after disasters.

Ali Haider Gadhi, a senior conservationist at Mohenjo Daro site, said that Dr Cristina Menegazzi, international expert, culture and heritage at Unesco office in Pakistan; Maryam Shah, national project officer, Culture at Unesco and a host of other professionals hailing from concerned departments like-irrigation and forest would be participating in the workshop that would discuss climate change and its impact on cultural heritage with the key speaker being Cristina Menegazzi.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024