Australia helping reduce the impacts of climate change in Bangladesh
Australia is helping Bangladesh build its resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters, especially the risks posed by rising levels and tidal surges.
Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, announced today that Australia will continue its support of two Government of Bangladesh programs: The Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund and the Comprehensive Disaster Management Program.
'As one of the most natural disaster-prone countries in the world, Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable to climate change and the growing frequency and severity of natural disasters,' said Mr Marles.
'The World Disaster Report 2010 revealed that more than 154 million Bangladeshi were affected by natural disasters between 1990 to 2009. The UNDP have further noted that projected sea level rise will directly affect the lives of 35 million people in the coastal areas of Bangladesh by 2050.
'Without risk reduction initiatives, impacts of natural disaster in Bangladesh are likely to worsen,' said Mr Marles.
The Government of Bangladesh has shown significant leadership by allocating US$200 million to help ensure communities are better able to adapt.
The Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund supports implementation of the Government of Bangladesh's Climate Change Strategy. The Fund provides grants to national institutions for development projects that help the country adapt to climate change.
The Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme is a nationally implemented program supported by the United Nations Development Programme.
'The goal of the program is to reduce Bangladesh's vulnerability to natural disasters including cyclones, floods, tidal surges and tsunamis, through risk reduction and comprehensive disaster management activities,' said Mr Marles.
Australia's support for Bangladesh is part of its commitment under the Copenhagen Accord to provide 'fast-start' assistance to developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small island states, between 2010 and 2012.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka, 13 November 2011
For further information please contact:
Senior Research and Communications Officer, AHC Dhaka
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