BSS-19 New project launched to cope with climate change impacts

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BSS-19

PROJECT-CLIMATE-RESILIENT

New project launched to cope with climate change impacts

DHAKA, Nov 15, 2018 (BSS) – The government and the UN agencies today
jointly initiated a US$12 million project to sustain the resilience of human
and economic development in Bangladesh through an inclusive and gender
responsive disaster management.

The project titled, ‘National Resilience Programme (NRP)’ was launched at a
city hotel, a UNDP press release said.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya
attended the launching ceremony as the chief guest while Disaster Management
and Relief Secretary Shah Kamal in the chair.

Water Resources Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka
Charlotta Schlyte and UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Mia Seppo were,
among others, present.

The programme is co-financed by the Department for International
Development (DFID) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation
Agency (SIDA).

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, the Planning Ministry, the
Women and Children Affairs Ministry and the Local Government Division (LGD)
will jointly implement the programme.

The three-year programme will provide strategic support in association with
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Women and United
Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to develop national capacity to
keep pace with the changing nature of disasters.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said
Bangladesh frequently faces natural disasters due to adverse impacts of
global climate change. “That’s why we’ve to continue our efforts to protect
the lives and livelihood from climate extreme events,” he said.

He said the newly-launched NRP is a knowledge-based programme, which will
enhance women leadership for gender responsive disaster resilient nation.

He hoped that the programme would further build the capacity of the
relevant ministries and increase the resilience to natural disasters.

Maya urged all the ministries concerned and development partners to
implement the programme effectively and efficiently for disaster risk
reduction which was adapted as the Sendai Framework.

The programme has four parts. The Department of Disaster will focus on
disability inclusive and gender-responsive capacities while the Planning
Division will focus on the capacity for disaster and climate risk informed
planning, the Department of Women Affairs on the gender dimension of the
programme and the LGED on infrastructures.

“To sustain the economic and human development, it’s essential to have
strong partnership for inclusive disaster risk reduction plan,” Shah Kamal
said.

He said the NRP will contribute to achieving national capacities by
institutionalising national volunteer organisation, and disability inclusive
and gender responsive disaster risk management.

BSS/PR/KUC-SAH/MRI/1802 hrs