Dr. Sadia Khalid conducted an awareness session on local environmental issues in AJK at the Centre of Rehabilitation and Development Helping Hands. The session, attended by staff and beneficiaries, focused on climate advocacy skills to fight against environmental challenges. She emphasized the importance of basic knowledge about climate disasters for doctors and para-medical staff. She highlighted how this knowledge can help in the healing process during disasters and extreme weather events, particularly in physical, emotional, and mental rehabilitation.
She also stressed that para-medical staff should provide patients with basic guidelines on disaster and emergency relief during their visits to the centre. This would empower patients with essential information to prepare for and respond to environmental emergencies.
The Muzaffarabad team of HHRD Relief Management, along with Dr. Sadia Khalid visited Green Era School to teach students about climate advocacy skills. The session was attended by secondary school girls and boys, as well as school staff. During the session, students discussed local environmental issues and learned how to raise their voices through various means like art, writing, social media, and role-play to promote environmental protection.
It was noticed that schools aren’t providing basic environmental knowledge to students, and as a result, students aren’t aware of local ecosystems and biodiversity. This highlights the need for programs that focus on environmental education and advocacy
