Panel Discussion on
Protecting Urban Poor through Resilience Practices

Wednesday 3rd November 2021
18:30—19:45 GMT | Skomer (Multimedia Studio 2)
Background Note: Climate Action Network South Asia and Misereor worked together to understand the impacts of climate change on urban poor in India. In a study followed by series of discussions with experts and practitioners, we closely examined how the cross section of urban poor communities is suffering due to poor infrastructure and lack of futuristic planning.

Absence of sufficient shelter spaces for homeless, inadequate housing for economically poor section, unplanned and undignified workspaces for informal sector urban workers are some of the significant gaps in current urban planning. Incidences of heatwave, flash-floods, drought
situation and added fury of cyclones, salination of coastal land, failing agriculture and usurping of rural land by growing urban centres will see more migration from rural and coastal areas in the near future.

COVID Pandemic proved to be a litmus test for India when the country checked its efficiency to handle a crisis at national level. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) were utilised for providing cash and essential food items to poor communities to sail through the lockdown period. However, it was also realised that a huge proportion of urban based workers were left out in absence of any database with the government.

India represents a true picture of what is happening in the neighboring countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Slow growth in rural livelihood, COVID 19, conflict and climate crisis will further push urbanization in the region with 25-30 % growth rate by the next decade. Therefore, it is imperative that South Asian cities include measures to
strengthen their resilience by identifying and closing gaps in critical infrastructure, social services, and urban environmental management, building a low-carbon, climate-resilient growth model.

Speaker
• Respected Member of Parliament from Pakistan.
• M. Mokhlesur Rahman, CNRS
• Anika Schroeder, Misereor
• Kuki Rokhum, EFICOR
• Nakul Sharma, CAN South Asia

Moderated by Mr. Sanjay Vashist, CAN South Asia

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Contact Person : Nakul Sharma, nakul@cansouthasia.net ,+91-971664740