EU to help Bangladesh fight disasters

A European Union (EU) delegation yesterday said the major continental bloc would increase its assistance in future to help Bangladesh fight disasters, frequencies of which are increasing day by day.
The 10-member delegation of the EU Parliament led by Nirj Deva said this at a meeting with Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque at his office in the ministry.
The meeting discussed, inter alia, impacts of climate change in the country, strategies to face them and food security, says a food ministry release.
Stating that the EU should come forward with more aid to face the climate challenges, the minister said the fund created for the purpose should be used in such a manner so that the affected people can benefit from it directly.
The government wants to heighten and strengthen the embankments in the coastal areas, build stronger cyclone shelter centres for vulnerable people and increase the capacity of food storages.
Around 18 percent of the budget is being spent in the social safety net programmes. So, the EU and other international development partners should help to this end, Razzaque said.
The delegation appreciated the strategies the country is applying in facing natural disasters.
Other delegates include Franziska Keller, Niccolo Rinaldi, Jean Lambert, John Attard Montalto, Jose Carlos Illan Sailer, Dolores Ruiz Vicente, Timothy Watson Boden, Sabine Meyer and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Stefan Frowein.