NDRMF is a launchpad to ecosystem restoration: Climate Change Adviser

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam on Thursday termed the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) as a launchpad to Ecosystem Restoration that would help in shield and rehabilitation of ecological unit in Pakistan.

During his visit to the NDRMF office, Amin Aslam was briefed on the Fund’s current activities related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Risk Finance (DRF) by CEO NDRMF, Lt Gen (r) Nadeem Ahmed.

The Advisor was briefed of different financial grants given by the National Disaster Risk Management Fund to provincial governments for the up-gradation of rescue services.

Ecosystem Restoration Fund (ESRF) is focused on providing grants for projects related to afforestation, marine life and blue economy, e-vehicles, water recharge, eco-tourism, biodiversity and land degradation.

 ESRF will also finance schemes linked to 10 Billion Tree Tsunami (TBTT) and Clean & Green Pakistan plans. Malik Amin Aslam expressed his appreciation for NDRMF’s fund disbursement mechanism as it has efficiently and transparently provided grants related to DRR worth billions of rupees, through funding by the Asian Development Bank.

He expressed full confidence that it is due to NDRMF’s track-record and proven ability that the Ministry of Climate Change is placing the World Bank-funded Ecosystem Restoration Fund at NDRMF.

This is a landmark for public sector governance that multi-donor interest has resulted in various financial channels to implement important projects across the country.

Malik Amin Aslam appreciated that the ESRF is in-line with the broader vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and provided assured NDRMF of full support from the Ministry. He reaffirmed the commitment of the present government to mobilize all necessary resources to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the country.