The Netherlands government has provided US$ 3 million (Tk 23 crore) to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to help people living in disaster-prone districts of southwest Bangladesh get better prepared to face disasters in the future.
The contribution will enable the government and WFP to support 7,000 people with cash or food for work and training, and another 7,000 women with trainings on income generation, a cash grant for investment and a monthly allowance.
About 70,000 people, including the participants’ family members, will benefit from these activities in Shyamnagar, Kalapara and Dacope. The government is supporting the project by matching the donation, a WFP press release said.
Since the beginning of this year, WFP has assisted 7,000 women and men so that they can repair and reinforce embankments and raise roads, excavate canals and ponds and elevate the ground around their houses to protect their communities from flooding, water-logging and increasing salinity. Throughout the wet season, they participate in training sessions on disaster preparedness and response, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition.
In exchange for their time and labour, these programme participants receive a nutritious food ration from WFP and the equivalent in cash from the Bangladesh government. The contribution from the Netherlands enables WFP to support 35,000 people through this project.
“Protective infrastructure and knowledge about preparing for and coping with a disaster are critical for people to safeguard their lives, homes and fields,” said WFP Representative in Bangladesh Christa Räder.
“However, we need to do more for ultra-poor families. A stable income, ideally from several sources, can be the best shield when a family is hit by disaster; it means people can buy enough nutritious food and get back on their feet quicker.”
The Netherlands contribution, together with the equivalent amount provided by the government of Bangladesh, enables 7,000 women and their families – another 35,000 people in total – to benefit from this additional support.
Source: UNBConnect
