2-day training workshop on climate change in Chitral

CHITRAL: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa organized a two-day training workshop here to build awareness among volunteers and staff members on the basics of climate change.

The workshop was designed under the model developed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The training aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of key concepts such as the difference between weather and climate, the role of greenhouse gases, changing climate patterns and the importance of youth-led adaptation measures at the community level.

A total of 20 young people under the age of 30, including 13 men and seven women from Chitral district, took part in the training. Sessions were facilitated by Ayaz Ali, assistant director Climate Change Adaptation, and Muazzam Shah from the PRCS Youth and Volunteer Department.

The participants also learned how climate action connects to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), along with the principles of disaster risk management (DRM). The agenda further focused on solid waste management, climate change and human health, and climate-induced migration. As part of the workshop, participants developed group action plans to be implemented locally in collaboration with relevant government departments and international NGOs.

The closing ceremony was attended by chief guest Minhasuddin, Director General of Kalash Development Authority and former Additional Secretary for Climate Change, Forestry, Environment, and Wildlife Department KP. Other guests included local climate and DRM expert Syed Harir Shah, former nazim of Lower Chitral Sartaj Ahmed, and Chitral Press Club president Zaheeruddin.