Bangladesh, well-known for its natural disasters, is now recognized for its climate adaptation strategies during extreme weathers like, cyclones, floods and even drought.
Thanks to the government’s well-coordinated advance plans and huge allocation in protecting lives and properties and placing advance warning system during such extreme weathers which have greatly contributed in reducing loss of thousands of lives and properties from damages.
The government has achieved a great success in reducing risk and losses of lives and properties caused by cyclone, flood, drought and earthquake which earned international praises.
At present there are about 56,000 trained volunteers dedicated in disaster response most of who belong to Red Crescent Bangladesh in coastal regions. Besides, there are 32,000 city volunteers, 24 lakh Ansar VDPs, 17 lakh scouts, 4 lakh BNCCs, about 4 lakh members of Girls Guide, all of who are also trained in rescue missions and early response to any disasters.
In the last few years, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has procured equipment worth Tk 237 crore and handed it over to the concerned agencies.
The government has already built 278 Mujib forts. In addition 3,868 multi-purpose cyclone shelter centers have been built along the coast and steps have been taken to build another 1,650 cyclone shelters.
The National Disaster Coordination Committee continuously monitored the situation at the instruction of the Prime Minister. All these were done in a disciplined and magnificent way to address the crisis.
The ruling government under the 2009 Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, initiated various steps and adaptation programs to reduce the risk of climate change. In 2009 so far allocated US$ 430 million from national funds to establish the Climate Trust Fund and implement the action plan.
Recently Ambassador Rabab Fatima tells the United Nations, as a climate vulnerable country with recurring disasters, Bangladesh has learnt over the years the critical importance of disaster preparedness, community engagement and institutional capacity building. Climate change as “invincible threats” to lives, livelihoods, and development, particularly for countries with pre-existing vulnerabilities.
The efforts of Bangladesh have strengthened adaptation and resilience building against climate change including the implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, strong early warning system, immaculate disaster preparedness practices, innovation in agriculture such as drought and salinity-resistant crops for ensuring food security, she added.
As a single country, Bangladesh has the highest risk of climate disaster, along with nearly 700 million people in South Asia and the coastal delta region.
In recognition of Bangladesh's success in disaster prevention former United Nations (UN) Secretary General and Global Center for Adaption (GCA) President Ban Ki-moon jointly inaugurated the GCA Regional Office with the Prime Minister, dedicating to the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation.
He said, the GCA will work on climate change and Bangladesh has done a lot to adapt to climate change, so the GCA has set up a regional office in Bangladesh.
“In fact, despite its limited capabilities, Bangladesh has taken many initiatives to address climate change and has spent a lot of money from its own funds. The results are also visible. In addition to playing a role in improving the livelihood of our citizens, Bangladesh has gained a lot of reputation around the world as a role model.”
In the meantime, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, regional capacity to deal with disasters needs to be enhanced. She calls up on the countries to increase the amount pledged for the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
“To increase regional capacity and the amount of contributions promised to combat climate change is very important and timely. Humans have no hand in natural disasters, and people, especially in the developed world and the industrialized nations, have a lot of responsibility for climate change.”
She said that it is the poor and coastal countries that are suffering the most. As a result, there is no substitute for global concerted efforts to increase regional capacity and mitigate climate change.
Climate expert Mohammad Shafikul Islam told Bangladesh Post, “Disasters stricken countries like us in South Asia is prone to various climate change disasters such as cyclones, floods, tidal surges, droughts, landslides and avalanches. If the global temperature rises by just 1.5 degrees, the danger in our region will increase manifold.”
“As a result,” he said, “We are hopeful that the GCA Regional Office will play a strong role in increasing regional capacity to deal with disasters, as well as raising awareness and contributing to climate change in countries around the world.”
