Bangladesh takes global lead to deal with disaster risk reduction
Dhaka - Bangladesh today secured itself as a global leader in dealing with disasters and climate change through the extension of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) for another five years.
The new phase of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme---a joint initiative of the government of Bangladesh and UNDP supported by the UK Department for International Development, the European Union and the government of Sweden-is an expansion and scaling up of the first phase which institutionalized risk reduction approaches through pilot initiatives, said a press release.
The second phase will follow a multi-hazard approach to disasters-including climate change risk management-which also sustains the paradigm shift from a focus on post-disaster response to a stronger emphasis on prevention and reducing risks and vulnerabilities.
The partners launched the five-year programme through the signing of a 50.75 million US dollar agreement (equivalent to about Taka 350 crore) here today.
Secretary of the Economic Relations Division M. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management Ahmed Hossain Khan Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh Stefan Priesner were present on the occasion.
"The UK has therefore identified disaster risk reduction and reducing vulnerability to climate change as a major priority within its country assistance plan," said Chris Austin, Country Representative, Department for International Development, the UK.
Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Dr. Stefan Frowein stated that disasters undermine development and jeopardize the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Bangladesh.
Britt F Hagström, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh stated that the predicted effects of climate change in Bangladesh, in particular increased severity of weather-related hazards like cyclones, floods, droughts, are all major threats against sustainable development.
Stefan Priesner said Bangladesh has successfully reduced the impact of disasters through community involvement in planning and risk management.