Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working sincerely to address various risks related to climate change.
So far, 600 projects have been undertaken at a cost of Tk 3,600 crore with the funding of the Climate Change Trust Fund, the first country in the world. About 30 million people in the coastal areas alone have benefited from these projects. He said the government would take steps to build more houses for the homeless in the future due to climate change.
The environment minister was speaking as the chief guest at an exchange meeting with officials of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust at the old forest building in Mohakhali on Tuesday.
The Environment Minister said all necessary steps would be taken to amend the law, set up field offices and recruit adequate manpower so that the Climate Change Trust could function independently. The Minister directed the concerned to construct the Cyclone Shelter Cum Primary School on a 4-storey foundation and to set up a lightning forecast system across the country.
The meeting was chaired by Masood Ahmed, Managing Director of the Climate Change Trust. Nasir-ud-Daulah, Secretary of the Trust; Khairuzzaman, Central Forest Conservator of the Forest Department SM Munirul Islam and Shakila Yasmin, Assistant Director of the Trust spoke.
Prior to the exchange of views, the Minister toured the photo exhibition of various activities implemented with the funding of the Climate Change Trust Fund and gave instructions to the concerned on various issues.