The Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined forces to launch the “Adaptation Initiative for Climate Vulnerable Offshore Small Islands and Riverine Charland in Bangladesh Project.” The project kickstarted with an insightful inception workshop at Charfashion Upazila Parishad, Bhola, on Wednesday.
Commencing in January 2023, this ambitious five-year project, funded by the Adaptation Fund through UNDP, aims to elevate climate resilience at both the household and community levels. The comprehensive approach targets the unique challenges posed by climate change, focusing on vulnerable communities residing on coastal islands and riverine chars in Bangladesh.
Dr. Abdul Hamid, the Director-General of DoE, presided over the launch as the chief guest, with Md Iqbal Hossain, Deputy Secretary and Director of the Environmental Department, Khulna Division, gracing the event as the Special Guest. Sarder M Asaduzzaman, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, added significance as the guest of honor.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, Director of DoE and Project Director, presented the keynote paper titled “Adaptation Initiative,” outlining the project’s core objectives.
Dr. Abdul Hamid emphasized the pivotal role of transparency and accountability in beneficiary selection, underscoring their critical contribution to the project’s success. He called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to achieve the ambitious goals set by the project.
Sarder M Asaduzzaman, representing UNDP, highlighted the paramount importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in project implementation. He urged adherence to UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) to mitigate social and environmental risks throughout the project’s execution.
Mirza Shawkat Ali, in his dual role as Director of DoE and Project Director, urged coordination among all government departments at the upazila level to facilitate seamless and successful project implementation.
The inception workshop served as a pivotal platform for meaningful discussions, setting the stage for collaborative endeavors in addressing climate vulnerabilities in Bangladesh and ensuring the sustainable development of offshore small islands and riverine charland communities.
