Australia helps health and water NGOs in Bangladesh
The Australian High Commissioner, Dr Justin Lee, yesterday presented Taka 15 lac to two NGOs doing important development work in the health and clean water sectors in Bangladesh.
Australian High Commissioner, Dr. Justin Lee, handing over the cheque to Mr. Sujit Areng, Executive Director of GBC Christian Hospital and Mr. Mizanur Rahman, Executive Director of IDO
In a presentation at his residence, the High Commissioner gave cheques to Mr Sujit Areng, Executive Director of ABMS Christian Hospital, and to Md Mizanur Rahman, Executive Director of the Integrated Development Organisation (IDO).
The ABMS Christian Hospital has been working with Garo Tribes since 1964 in Haluaghat region. Taka 8 lac from Australia will be used to build a multi purpose hall for the hospital’s Nursing Department to conduct training and other activities. The Nursing Department currently has to share hospital premises.
IDO is a Jessore based NGO that will use Australian assistance to install fifty-two rainwater tanks at poor households of Gopsena village at Sagardari Union. The area located in southern Bangladesh is highly arsenic contaminated. IDO will also raise awareness among the community of the benefits of harvesting rain water for safe drinking and cooking purposes.
The funding was provided under the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP). DAP is used to support small projects in Bangladesh with a particular focus on human rights and poverty alleviation.
Dr Lee said he was very pleased Australia was able to support these two NGOs which provide inexpensive solutions for critical issues facing the people of Bangladesh. He noted DAP projects this year would total Taka 4.29 million. Overall, Australia’s development cooperation with Bangladesh totals A$52 million in 2008/09.
Australian High Commission, Dhaka
04 March 2009
For further information please contact:
Senior Political & Economic Research Officer, AHC, Dhaka.
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]