Tabish Hamid and Daniyal Abdullah represented Young Leaders Society and Pakistan at the International AIDS Conference in Munich in August 2024, presenting workshops and research on HIV care in disaster-affected areas.
In August 2024, Munich, Germany became the epicentre of global dialogue on HIV care and pandemic preparedness at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024). Among the notable Pakistani contributors were Tabish Hamid and Daniyal Abdullah, representing Young Leaders Society and showcasing innovative work at the intersection of disaster management and HIV care.
Tabish Hamid, President of Young Leaders Society, was invited to conduct a workshop at AIDS 2024 — a fully funded recognition of his work in public policy and youth activism, particularly his focus on integrating disaster management with HIV prevention in flood-affected areas of Pakistan.
His workshop, "Inclusive HIV Prevention Support During Natural Disasters," equipped participants with knowledge and skills to ensure HIV prevention efforts are not sidelined when disasters strike. The session covered:
The workshop's interactive format — including role-playing exercises and collaborative planning sessions — drew strong engagement and practical takeaways from participants representing multiple countries.
Daniyal Abdullah, co-founder of Young Leaders Society, presented a poster on the integration of HIV care within disaster management frameworks — research drawn from field experiences in Pakistan's disaster-prone regions.
His poster highlighted the gaps in current disaster management practices around HIV care, and argued for a comprehensive approach that ensures continuity of treatment even in crisis conditions. The presentation sparked meaningful discussions among global health professionals about the structural challenges facing countries like Pakistan.
Both Tabish and Daniyal's contributions were rooted in a shared conviction: that health care, including HIV prevention and care, must be resilient even in the face of natural disasters. Their participation brought international attention to Pakistan's challenges — and the homegrown solutions being developed to address them.
They returned to Pakistan with new connections, fresh insights, and a renewed commitment to advancing inclusive health care and disaster preparedness across the country.