In 18-20 December 2023, Executive Director Qunli Han and Science Officer Fang Lian paid a visit to the disaster risk reduction (DRR) institutes of Pakistan, marking a significant step towards enhancing cooperation between IRDR and Pakistan in DRR efforts.

During this visit, Han and Lian visited several research institutions and international organizations, including Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences (CPJRC), the Office of UNESCO in Islamabad, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF), and the Pakistan Museum of Natural History. Their meetings focused on exploring potential collaboration and joint actions between Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) and these important science institutions, especially in areas of DRR research, institutional capacity, education and public outreach. They also had opportunity to meet the Director of IRDR ICoE in Disaster and Climate Extremes in Peshawar University, Pakistan, to discuss new research actions.

An immediate outcome of the visit was the advancement of exchanges regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IRDR and NIDM, which is expected to be established in 2024. The discussion with others will continue. IRDR team expresses its sincere gratitude for the very fruitful exchanges and hospitality extended to them during this official IRDR visit.

Photo of IRDR and NIDM

Photo of IRDR and ECOSF