Bangladesh has donated $530,000 for the construction of two to three multipurpose cyclone shelters in the Rakhine State of Myanmar with a hope that these shelters will reduce the vulnerability of the Rakhine people from cyclones and tidal bores.

Bangladesh Ambassador in Yangon M Sufiur Rahman formally handed over a cheque to Myanmar Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye at the latter's office yesterday.

Bangladesh is also going to donate three ambulances equipped with modern medical features to the Rakhine State soon, said a press release of the Bangladesh Embassy in Myanmar.

The embassy has also been coordinating with the authorities of both the countries on supplying Solar Home System (SHS) in off-grid areas of the Rakhine and Chin State.

The donation is part of the pledged humanitarian assistance by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a simple ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of Myanmar will coordinate with the Rakhine state government and the authorities concerned for the construction of the cyclone shelters expectedly by the end of 2018. 

The cyclone shelters will be built taking into consideration the models of multipurpose shelters that evolved in Bangladesh over decades and are globally acclaimed.