Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan is World Chairman & Ambassador at large International Human Rights Commission.
Eurasia Diary: We would like to know about your background and your career, please let us know in detail?
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan: I am the 4th World Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission. I am also the first Muslim and Asian elected from its members in the history of IHRC. My term of service is for ten years that started on February 24, 1996 which extended by the General Assembly for 2nd term on March 21, 2006. In addition, I am the "Chairman of World Peace Mission Organization" elected by the Board of Directors in its first ever meeting held at Dubai-UAE on December 21, 2001.
I am serving as the Ambassador & Special Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau with full diplomatic status by the Excellency Rui Duarte de Barros, Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Eurasia Diary: Today, October 13th, is the International Day for Disaster Reduction. This day encourages every individual, community and government to take part in building more disaster resilient communities and nations. What can you say about importance of this day?
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan: Every year, on October 13th, the world community celebrates the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR). This day encourages citizens to build more disaster resilient communities. The aim of this day is to raise an awareness about the risks of disaster. Moreover, what is also important is that this day aims to reduce the level of influence of disasters on people and communities.
Eurasia Diary: What is the meaning of disaster for you?
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan: There is no country in the world immune to disaster. Any kind of disaster can have a major and long-lasting impact on health, social and economic networks of local communities and countries. If there is no any fight against disaster, it will have a negative impact on relief agencies. What is also important is that joint programs against disasters are more efficient that individual efforts. All regional and international organizations must be involved in the response to disasters. They should develop a plan of dealing with aftermath of disasters.
Eurasia Diary: What kind of things should be done for disaster risk reduction?
Dr. Muhammad Shahid Amin Khan: There should be special activities designed for protection from disasters. For example, good evacuation plans and environmental planning can help to reduce the level of destruction. If you remember, in 2005, 168 Governments adopted a 10-year global plan, called the Hyogo Framework for natural disaster risk reduction. Therefore, it is very important to be prepared for reducing the impact of disaster. Such kind of plans help to relocate and provide the required food and water as well as to repair the destroyed services such as telecommunications and transport.
Once emergency needs have been met and the initial crisis is over, the people affected and the communities that support them are still vulnerable.
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