“The Role of Civil Society in Disaster Management”: A Consultative Session by the Sustainable Development Forum in Beni Suef

As part of the partnership between the Egyptian Forum for Sustainable Development, the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) and the Muslim Women’s Association in Beni Suef, the local coordinator of the Sustainable Development Forum in the governorate, a consultative session was held to address disaster and crisis management and the role of civil society in enhancing community resilience.

The session is part of a series of meetings organized by local sustainable development forums across various governorates. These gatherings aim to raise awareness and build capacities within local communities regarding the integration and localization of sustainability dimensions into local development strategies and programs.

The event saw the participation of a distinguished group of representatives from civil society organizations, experts, academics, media professionals and representatives of youth and women’s organizations. The discussions focused on several key topics including the identification of risks and disasters, early warning and prediction technologies, and preparedness strategies, particularly concerning climate-related risks.

The session also shed light on pressing environmental issues, such as pollution caused by single-use plastic waste and the use of mercury-containing dental amalgams, highlighting their impacts on public health and the environment. The discussions emphasized the various roles and efforts of civil society in addressing these challenges.

The event witnessed positive engagement from participants, who presented several recommendations. These included the importance of uniting efforts across all sectors to achieve a shared vision of strengthening community resilience. Participants also emphasized the need to enhance networking and coordination frameworks between governmental, civil, and private sectors to mitigate the impacts of various environmental risks and disasters.