The government has taken an initiative to implement a Tk 7,500 crore project to protect vulnerable communities in 14 coastal districts from floods and climate change-related risks and improve their living standards.
Funded by the World Bank, the five-year project will be implemented from the next fiscal year, with activities planned for infrastructure development, flood control and disaster risk reduction in the districts.
The project was discussed at a meeting between LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and a nine-member World Bank delegation led by Jean Pesme, Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan was also present.
The meeting underscored the need to ensure the safety of vulnerable coastal communities, strengthen their capacity to cope with climate-induced disasters and promote sustainable development.
The participants also discussed improving the living standards of vulnerable people, strengthening social safety nets and creating employment opportunities.
The project will focus on improving water treatment and safe water facilities to address salinity in coastal areas while increasing the use of surface water to reduce pressure on groundwater.
The initiative aims to ensure water security for coastal communities and strengthen their 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 senior officials of the ministry were also present at the meeting.
