A National Level Stakeholder Consultation event was held today at a hotel in Gulshan, the capital city, to discuss innovation for climate disaster risk mitigation and adaptation. 

The event was organized by CARE Bangladesh and focused on the Danish International Development Agency's (DANIDA) Community Led Innovation for Climate Risk Mitigation in Bangladesh (CLIMB) project.

The chief guest at the event was Md. Mijanur Rahman, the Director General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) of the Government of Bangladesh, according to a press release. 

In his address, Rahman commended the resilience and innovation demonstrated by local communities in the face of limited resources. He expressed hope for a more resilient country in the future. 

Salwa Jahan, the Program Officer for Communication and Political Affairs at the Royal Danish Embassy in Bangladesh, attended the event as a special guest. Ramesh Singh, the Country Director of CARE Bangladesh, and Kaiser Rejve, the Director of Humanitarian and Resilience at CARE Bangladesh, were also present.

During the event, Mrityunjoy Das, the Deputy Director of Humanitarian and Resilience at CARE Bangladesh, delivered a keynote speech on "Innovation for Climate Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation." 

The presentation focused on addressing community challenges through community-led solutions and utilizing innovative tools and methods. 

Participants of the program also shared their perspectives on innovation strategies, with a particular emphasis on critical issues such as climate change and gender. Expert representatives from organizations including The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), IOM, and ActionAid actively participated in the event.

The CLIMB project, funded by DANIDA and implemented by CARE, RUPANTAR, and SHED, aims to enhance the adaptability and climate resilience of vulnerable groups affected by saline intrusion due to climate change in the southwest coastal region of Bagerhat. 

Additionally, it seeks to expand the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Cox's Bazar district to reduce the likelihood of conflicts between Rohingya refugees and host communities. Over a four-year period, the project aims to increase climate resilience and adaptive capacity in communities through locally-led green and equitable solutions, accountable service mechanisms, and measures to mitigate conflicts between refugee and host communities in Teknaf and Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.

CARE, a leading humanitarian organization operating in over 100 countries, has been working in Bangladesh since 1949. The organization's programs in Bangladesh are centered around Women and Girls' Empowerment, Health and Nutrition, Extreme Rural Poverty Reduction, and Humanitarian and Resilience. In the past year alone, CARE in Bangladesh directly reached out to 7.5 million people and indirectly impacted 32.08 million individuals through 61 projects and initiatives, with 56% of program participants being women.

The National Level Stakeholder Consultation event provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to come together and discuss innovative approaches to climate disaster risk mitigation and adaptation. With the participation of key organizations and government representatives, the event aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange to build a more resilient and climate-ready Bangladesh.