A day-long workshop titled “Building resilient of vulnerable communities and institutions to protect livelihoods and reduce risk from disasters and climate change in the south-west coastal areas of Bangladesh” was held at a hotel in the city yesterday. Two Khulna based non-government organisations Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJS) and Shushilan arranged the workshop in cooperation with Concern Worldwide to strengthen the capacity of and coordination between local government institutions and local development organisations so as to prepare for and respond to disasters and climate change. Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Md Abdus Samad addressed the workshop as chief guest. Deputy Director of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khulna Md Abdul Latif presided over the function.
Superintending Engineer of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Khulna circle SM Wahidul Islam, Conservator of Forest, Jessore Social Forest Circle Md Zaid Hussain Bhuiyan, District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Khulna AKM Mannan were present as special guests. Regional Technical Coordinator of Concerned Worldwide Bangladesh Saroj Dash delivered the welcome speech. Resilience project coordinator Palash Kanti Halder narrated the aim of proposed project on electronic projector. Executive Director of JJS ATM Zakir Hossain delivered the vote of thanks.
Chief guest Md Abdus Samad said that south-western part of Bangladesh is one of the disaster prone zones of the globe owing to its geographical location as well as natural reasons. Due to climate change the frequency and intensity of disasters are increasing, threaten lives and livelihood. A large number of people are become ultra poor due to disaster and climate change effect every year. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) could reduce vulnerability in coastal people. The other speakers said that if we implement sustainable activity for the coastal people, especially for the women and extreme poor then the socio-economic condition will be strong and such adaptation capacity will be enhance. Alternative livelihood option can improve food security in the coastal belt. To enhance adaptation capacity and awareness campaign could build disaster resilience community.