COP 20 should be informed of situation

Participants at “Pre-COP Roundtable Discussion: Loss and Damage due to Climate Change” jointly organised by the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, and Christian Aid, UK at The Daily Star Centre in the capital yesterday. Photo: Star

Climate negotiators should inform the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP 20) about the terrible consequence in which victims of climate change find themselves after a natural disaster strikes Bangladesh as adaptation measures cannot mitigate all effects, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.

The Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), and Christian Aid, UK, jointly organised the discussion titled "Pre-COP Roundtable Discussion on Loss and Damage due to Climate Change" in the capital's The Daily Star Centre.

There should be a proper estimate of people and damages that they suffered due to climate change induced natural disasters, whether it was big or small, for demanding financial support from the United Nations and compensations from the developed countries, speakers said.

Dr Atiq Rahman, BCAS's executive director, said all should help the government to fulfill all the requirements to get climate funds.

Dwijen Mallick, a fellow of BCAS, shared a case study on "Loss and Damage in Coastal Bangladesh" which highlighted socio-economic conditions, of some communities in Chokbora, Gabura in Satkhira, Jaliakhali Dacop in Khulna, and Rajeshawar in Bagerhat, which severely worsened after two cyclones.

Golam Rabbani of BCAS delivered a presentation on the term "loss and damage", in perspective of climate change, which had been defined differently in different sessions of the conference.

Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid, Bangladesh, Abdul Qayyum, additional secretary to the food and disaster ministry, Dr Mizan R Khan, professor of North South University, Shakeb Nabi, country director of Christian Aid, and Hafizul Islam Khan, Centre for Climate Justice, and Rezaul Karim of Equity BD, were also present.