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The government is planning a five-year Tk7,500 crore project to protect vulnerable communities in 14 coastal districts from floods and climate change-related risks while improving their livelihoods.
The project, to be financed by the World Bank, is scheduled to be implemented from the next fiscal year.
Various aspects of the proposed project were discussed at a meeting between Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan and a nine-member World Bank delegation led by Jean Pesme, Regional Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hasan and senior officials of the ministry were also present.
The meeting discussed different aspects of activities being implemented under the Bangladesh Strategic Flood Resilience Programme (Flood MPA) and the Coastal Resilience Project.
Particular emphasis was placed on protecting vulnerable coastal communities, strengthening their capacity to cope with climate-related disasters and promoting sustainable development.
Dr Abdul Moin Khan said ensuring a peaceful, safe and better life for the people was the government’s main objective.
“Alongside improving people’s living standards, we need to create employment opportunities. The government is keen to work with the World Bank in an integrated manner to achieve these goals,” he said.
He said the proposed project would play an important role in improving the safety and living conditions of vulnerable coastal communities.
Under the project, various activities will be implemented to improve infrastructure, control floods and reduce disaster risks in 14 vulnerable coastal districts.
Initiatives will also be taken to improve livelihoods, strengthen social protection and create employment opportunities for vulnerable communities.
The meeting also stressed improving water treatment and access to safe drinking water to address the impact of salinity in coastal areas.
The participants discussed increasing the use of surface water to reduce pressure on groundwater resources.
The initiatives aim to ensure water security for coastal communities while building long-term capacity to cope with floods and the impacts of climate change.
Director General of the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing Shibir Bichitra Barua and other senior officials of the ministry were also present.