EU help sought for embankments
State Minister for Environment and Forests hasan Mahmud yesterday sought European Union's cooperation to repair and build embankments in the coastal belt to protect the people from natural calamities.
He made the call when a 40-member EU delegation, led by German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Affairs Niebel Dirk and EU Economic Cooperation Affairs Commissioner Piebalgs Andris, met him at his Secretariat office.
The delegation members said the EU and Germany are willing to work with Bangladesh to address climate change impacts and protect biodiversity of Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Dr Hasan said the EU, Germany, and Bangladesh have been working together to cope with the climate change.
The EU and Germany have already provided 8.5 million euros to Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund (BCCRF) to address the worst climate impacts, he said.
"They (EU and Germany) assured us of providing a further 20 million euros. The process is now underway."
The state minister also sought technical and financial support from the EU to enhance skill of forest officials and modernise the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Forests (DoF).
German Ambassador in Dhaka Michael Holger, EU Ambassador in Dhaka William Hana, EU Development Cooperation Division chief Milko Van Gool, and Environment and Forests Secretary Mizbah Ul Alam also were present at the meeting.
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