Keeping in view the need and importance of voluntarism in our society the Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM), University of Peshawar in collaboration with Youth and Volunteer Department Pakistan Red Crcent-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter organized a three day training on “Volunteering in Emergency”. The aim of three day training was to make it easier for youth to carry out voluntary activities by removing the existing obstacles. Promote voluntary activities with a view to reinforcing youth solidarity and engagement as citizens; and to recognize voluntary activities of young people with a view to acknowledging their personal skills and their commitment to society. During three days training Mr. Ahmad Hussain, Assistant Director, Youth and Volunteer Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Mateeullah Yousafzai, President Youth Clubs KP worked as training facilitator. Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan was chief guest. Dean, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences Prof. Dr. Amir Nawaz Khan was Guest of Honor was also present on the occasion. Speaking at the closing ceremony Prof. Dr. Amir Nawaz Khan said that working as volunteer is part and parcel of our Eman. As Muslims, our role isn’t just to make our prayers, fast and pay zakat. We are encouraged to take on a broader role by working to improve the communities we live in; we should be visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching people to read, helping people who have no one to return to. A proper understanding of the universality of volunteerism requires that the fog enveloping volunteer action be dispersed to reveal the true extent of its contours he added. He appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Red Crescent and Centre and Thanked the Vice Chancellor for gracing the occasion with his presence.

In his concluding speech the Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan said that Volunteering is the lifeblood of any community. It is because of volunteers that communities are able to run organizations, social services, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, run schools and set up blood banks etc. Paid employees only make up a small part of the social services network; without volunteers such endeavors would come to a standstill.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rasul Jan added congratulated that volunteers and said that now you are formally trained volunteers and offered the volunteer that you can start from University. You are not only trained to help the victims of disasters but it is your responsibility to extend help in all places. Our country Pakistan can benefit immensely from such a spirit of volunteerism he added. In last he congratulated the CDPM team for organizing such an august training for the volunteers and paid gratitude to Pakistan Red Crescent-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr. Ahmad Hussain representative of the PRC-KP appreciated the efforts of the Centre and paid his thanks to the Vice Chancellor for gracing the closing ceremony with his presence.