Caritas Pakistan salutes its volunteers

Priests, volunteers, schools, stakeholders and Govt. officials attended DRR and Volunteer Management Conference organized by Caritas Pakistan on 15th November, 2018 at Govt. Boys Primary School, Jhato kay, Pasrur. The conference was to salute the efforts of volunteers and Caritas staff who worked hard with commitment and dedication in situations of emergencies. Around 225 volunteers from 8 targeted villages were appreciated. The conference kicked off with interactive theater in which disaster management committee (DMC) performed on importance of preparedness, water, health and hygiene.

A plenary session was held in which volunteers who were also members of DMCs highlighted the role of Caritas Pakistan staff in transforming them and providing them with disaster preparedness techniques; knowledge of adaptation of climate change and WASH. They also thanked Caritas Pakistan for building shelters for vulnerable flood affectees of 2014. “CPL has shared the techniques to tackle pre, during and post flood scenarios,”-Mr. Sharakat Ali a volunteer shared. He further said that Caritas Pakistan works without discrimination of religion, caste, creed and color. Mr. Amjad Gulzar (Executive Director Caritas Pakistan) joined hands with Rev.Fr. Francis Gulzar (Vicar General Archdiocese Lahore), Rev.Fr. Rahfan (Executive Secretary CPL), Dr. Nadeem Haider (Livestock Department), Mr. Muhammad Khalid (Assistant Commissioner Pasrur) and Mr. Muhammad Aslam (Headmaster) to plant and add in adaptation of climate change.

Assistant Commissioner Mr. Muhammad Khalid acknowledged the efforts of Caritas Pakistan Lahore who trained ordinary people who are the first respondent to act first in disaster conditions and build resilience of the community. He assured of full cooperation for any interventions for the development of community. “Pasrur is a flood prone area so we thought of involving local district administration and community to act as safeguard. I appreciate the work of Caritas Pakistan Lahore that they have trained the volunteers well to face disasters,”- Mr. Amjad Gulzar. He further narrated the purpose of volunteer management in line of EU standards as part of PEACH Project, DRR and Pope’s encyclical ‘Laudato si’ Care for creation for all humanity. Rev.Fr. Francis Gulzar focused on the need of brotherhood, peace and harmony among humans.