‘Skill enhancement, key to survival in disaster prone areas’

HYDERABAD: Skill enhancement of youth living in coastal areas can mitigate the losses incurred due to sea intrusion, which has reportedly laid more than three million acres of fertile land barren and caused displacement.
This was the crux of the discussion 'Youth Convention: In recognition of effective participation in learning activities and their contribution in sustainable development' organised at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam premises on Wednesday.
The discussion was organised by Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) in collaboration with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) under Sindh Coastal Area Development Integrated Programme for Sustainable Livelihood and Income Generation. The event was to mark the culmination of the capacity building and training conducted under the Sindh coastal area development programme by students of SAU. Under the programme 450 young men and women from disaster-prone districts of Sujawal and Thatta were trained to cope for sustenance and livelihood during disasters.
Researchers and academia, while sharing their findings advised the youth of coastal areas of Sujawal and Thatta districts to increase their skills in the fields of fish farming, poultry, livestock management, and kitchen gardening to fight poverty and improve socio-economic condition.
These two coastal districts are termed as the most poverty and climate change-hit areas due to sea intrusion and shortage of irrigation water. The people are most vulnerable to cyclones, tsunamis, high tides, floods, and droughts.
The speakers said the trainings imparted to the youth in these vulnerable areas are already in practice in coastal communities the world over.
SAU Vice Chancellor Dr Mujeebuddin Memon advised the youth to use digital technology and social media for income generating activities. He said community level skill enhancement was key to alleviate poverty and earn a living.
Dr Memon also appreciated the graduates of SAU, who imparted trainings to the vulnerable youth in disaster-prone areas. He said, "You have a wider market in the world to compete with confidence and move ahead with capability.”
Ellahi Bakhsh Baloch, SPO regional head Karachi, shared what his organisation does in the region.
They have trained 800 youth in various trades, including fish farming, poultry, livestock management and kitchen gardening. He hoped this would empower the youth to change their lives and transfer the gained technology and knowledge to the poor community people for their economic development.
Baloch said they have introduced small models for prosperity to show the government to launch similar schemes and implement the same to benefit the poor.
Prof Ismail Kumbhar of SAU, who led the capacity building programme, said that agrarian youth are the main assets and their capabilities can be utilised for the betterment of the community. Coastal communities are deprived of opportunities in many areas, but trained youth can help them out of difficulties. He appreciated SAU for developing links with the community and civil society for the betterment of the coastal communities. Kumbhar said poverty can be alleviated through development of human resources and this training will contribute to the national cause by utilising the youth, engaging them in economic activities.
SPO Hyderabad regional head Mustafa Baloch, Thatta District Social Welfare Officer Khuda Bakhsh Behrani, Moula Bakhsh Umrani, Raheema Panhwer, and youth members of local social organisations also spoke on the occasion.
At the end certificates were given to youth leaders and the event concluded with a theatre performance.