United News of Bangladesh

Riverbank erosion has long haunted the people of Koyra, a coastal upazila in Khulna, but this year their fears have intensified. Despite a massive government project meant to offer lasting protection, irregularities and sluggish progress are raising serious questions about whether the embankments will withstand the next tide. Experts say climate change, rising tidal pressure and shifts in river flow continue to intensify threats along the Bay of Bengal coast. Read more: Sand syndicates tighten grip on Bangladesh's northern region The government’s long-awaited sustainable embankment project—worth nearly Tk 12,000 crore—initially offered hope to thousands who face erosion every summer and monsoon. But allegations of mismanagement now overshadow the initiative. Illegal Sand Extraction, Tree Cutting Undermine Safety Locals and environmental groups report that sand is being illegally extracted from the Kopotakkho and Shakbaria rivers to support embankment construction. At the same time, riverside trees are being cut indiscriminately, weakening natural buffers meant to stabilise the structures. On December 4, these fears materialised when nearly 200 metres of embankment collapsed at Matiabhanga in South Bedkashi union—without strong winds or floods. The sudden breach inundated nearby areas. Two days later, fresh cracks appeared between Doshahalia in Maharajpur union and Hoglar, forcing residents to patch the damage themselves. Residents say they heard unusual soil-lifting sounds late at night before the embankment gave way. Many believe the incident was linked to unchecked extraction and construction malpractice. Read more: Teesta Dam ‘renovation’ in Rangpur turns into a 'sand bonanza' “The embankment just vanished before our eyes. We thought our homes and everything would be washed away,” recalled Masum Billah, a resident of Matiabhanga. Abdus Salam, another villager, said erosion has been intensifying daily. “Three houses have already been lost. Despite the long-standing vulnerability, no repairs were undertaken,” he said. Warnings Ignored, Cracks Left Unrepaired The breached area is part of a Tk 1,200-crore Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) mega project in Koyra and adjoining regions. The work includes raising and widening 32 km of embankments, slope protection, river management and riverside afforestation. But locals say they have seen little evidence of strong, sustained work on the ground. Didarul Alam, a member of Ward No. 3 of South Bedkashi union, said cracks had been reported a month earlier near the mouths of the Arpangasia and Kopotakkho rivers. “No effective measures were taken. Only a few sandbags were placed, which allowed the crack to widen and collapse,” he said. Read more: 130 metres of Teesta bridge embankment collapses threatening 1700 families BWDB Satkhira-2 Division Deputy Assistant Engineer Alamgir Kabir insisted that repair work is underway and that a temporary ring embankment has helped halt further flooding. Environmentalists Alarmed by Project Irregularities Environmental activists say the recent embankment breach in winter—traditionally a calm season—is highly unusual and signals structural weaknesses. Anwar Hossain, convener of the Coastal and Sundarbans Conservation Movement, expressed deep concern over illegal sand lifting and deforestation along river chars. These destructive practices, he said, directly undermine embankment durability. “Breaches like this in winter are unprecedented,” he said, pointing to irregularities in project execution despite substantial government funding. A Coastal Region Running Out of Time For vulnerable communities already living on the edge, the collapse has renewed fears of a future defined by unchecked erosion, tidal surges and displacement. With the monsoon months only half a year away, residents worry that without transparency, accountability and swift action, the mega project may fail to deliver the protection it promised. Read more: Illegal sand extraction in Feni continues despite political shift Locals say they cannot afford another collapse, or another year of neglect.

The government has taken a project aimed at streamlining and strengthening the management of medical, population and nursing education services across the country. The project “Integrated Improvement in the Management of Activities of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), NIPORT and the Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM)”, undertaken by the Health Education and Family Welfare Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, involves an estimated cost of Tk 211.90 crore. It will be implemented between July 2025 and June 2026. Read more: Barishal Nursing College remains dysfunctional for 4th day According to project documents, the initiative seeks to mainstream essential activities previously carried out under the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (HPNSP), which concluded its fourth phase in June 2024. Although the sector programme played a central role in improving healthcare delivery since 1998, the ministry identified an array of structural limitations, including duplication of tasks and overlapping responsibilities across operational plans. The proposed project aims to gradually transition critical activities from the HPNSP framework into the regular institutional structure of the health education and service system, ensuring continuity through a more stable and recurring budget. The project intends to upgrade medical, nursing and midwifery education through modernised simulation laboratories in five government medical colleges, the development and customisation of ten software modules, and hands-on training programmes for faculty members in medical and dental colleges. It will also strengthen digital record management for medical students, improve online-based e-library services and enhance the Performance Management Information System (PMIS). Besides, the DGME will store and manage academic and administrative data under a unified digital platform, while the training provided through hospital management modules is expected to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. Collaborative efforts can elevate nursing education in Bangladesh: Speakers The programme also focuses on strengthening human resource and facility management. The DGME, DGNM and NIPORT will introduce digital registries, automate hostel seat allocation and fee management, and upgrade utilities and administrative systems in education and training institutions. Alongside 3,030 units of medical and surgical equipment, 145 computers, 2,397 educational tools, 2,696 pieces of furniture and 600 bedding sets will be procured to address existing shortages. Ninety-six office equipment items will be purchased for improving workplace conditions. NIPORT will implement a large portion of the training component. The organisation is expected to deliver 600 batches of training, involving 15,000 participants across its 35 institutions, while the DGNM will conduct 320 batches for an additional 9,600 nurses and midwives. The NIPORT will also update three training curricula, complete twelve unfinished studies under the fourth sector programme, and carry out two major national surveys: the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) and the Bangladesh Health Facility Survey (BHFS). These data-driven activities are considered essential for evidence-based policy-making in health, population and nutrition planningsaid officials. Bangladesh Medical Education Accreditation Bill, 2023 passed in JS Officials said the selection of project areas has been based on the administrative and operational jurisdictions of the three implementing agencies. DGME activities will cover all government medical and dental colleges, IHTs and MATS institutions across all divisions. NIPORT’s coverage includes its headquarters in Dhaka, fourteen Regional Population Training Institutes located at the district level, and twenty-one Regional Training Centres at the upazila level. Nursing and midwifery institutions, as well as government hospitals with nursing staff across the country, fall under the DGNM component. A pre-appraisal assessment reviewed the activities and expenditures of the three directorates under the previous operational plans and incorporated technical estimates verified by the Technical Specification Committee. The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), in its meeting held on 8 September 2025, recommended approval of the proposal subject to compliance with its observations. The ministry has agreed to restructure the Development Project Proposal (DPP) accordingly. The Planning Commission said the project will significantly contribute to improving medical, nursing and midwifery education while enhancing family planning services. NIANER hosts seminar on innovations in nursing education and practice It added that the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, the Bangladesh Population Policy 2025 and the broader objectives of the Health Education and Family Welfare Division to ensure quality health education and affordable, high-standard family planning services for all. Officials believe that once implemented, the project will help modernise competency-based clinical education, improve institutional transparency, support digital transformation across training facilities and contribute to strengthened health service delivery nationwide.

More than a decade after it was first approved with the promise of giving residents a cleaner, greener and more accessible lake environment, the Uttara Lake Development (1st Revised) Project remains mired in delays, extensions and rising costs. What was once envisioned as a model urban regeneration initiative—protecting the Uttara lake system from encroachment, improving water retention, preventing pollution and creating vibrant walkways and recreation spaces—has instead become a striking example of chronic stagnation in public infrastructure development. Recently the government extended the project deadline for the sixth time, pushing completion to June 2026. A Decade of Deadlines Missed The project, undertaken by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works was originally approved in 2014. At the time, it carried a modest two-year timeline from July 2014 to June 2016 and a cost estimate of Tk 37.32 crore. Read more: Banani Society's 55k Adda Park: Community-led initiative transforms decaying lakeside into urban oasis But as years passed with repeated extensions and little visible improvement, the financial footprint expanded dramatically. After revisions, the cost now stands at Tk 90.73 crore, nearly two and a half times the original estimate. RAJUK alone is bearing Tk 78.85 crore of that amount. “We need to protect the lake from pollution and encroachment, but all we see are deadlines being moved,” said Aminul Haque, a long-time resident of Sector 4. Why the Delay? RAJUK Lists a Long Chain of Reasons Officials attributed the most recent delay to multiple complications in the field. Unusually heavy rainfall during the current fiscal year has held back progress, while the land acquisition process has taken longer than expected. Read more: Kaptai Lake must be protected as a national asset: Farida Akhter The project area includes two mosques, forcing RAJUK to proceed cautiously. Daytime restrictions on truck movement have meant that sludge removal could only be carried out at night. Moreover, the project site is situated in a densely populated and congested neighbourhood, requiring slow and careful pallasiding work to avoid disturbing surrounding houses. RAJUK officials also reported resistance while attempting to evict illegal structures in an adjacent slum, further slowing the pace of work. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) approved the government’s proposal for a one-year extension, but only under strict conditions. IMED emphasised that all remaining activities must be completed within the newly approved timeframe and no further extensions would be allowed. Read more: Teesta Dam ‘renovation’ in Rangpur turns into a 'sand bonanza' It observed that no audit objections were raised between the 2017–18 and 2022–23 financial years, but that audit work for 2023–24 is still pending. Current Progress: Some Movement, Much Left to Do According to RAJUK’s latest report, cumulative financial progress reached Tk 56.84 crore, or 62.65 per cent, as of May 2025, while physical progress stood at 65 per cent. The Planning Commission acknowledged the challenges of working in such a densely populated area but agreed that the extension was necessary to complete the remaining 35 per cent of work, including the removal of illegal structures around the lake. The project has been allocated Tk 16 crore in the Annual Development Programme for the 2025–26 financial year. Residents Wait—and Hope On paper, Uttara Lake should by now be lined with walkways, lush greenery, open spaces and cleaner water flowing through a restored ecosystem. But for many residents, the lake remains a reminder of promises delayed and opportunities lost. Read more: Tk 2105 cr housing projects for July martyrs’ families, injured get govt nod “It’s not that nothing has changed,” said Mumu Chowdhury, who lives near the lake area. “But the pace is too slow. We deserve better—this is our environment, our community.” With yet another deadline now set for mid-2026, residents are hoping this will finally be the last extension.

The government on Monday (December 01) approved two major housing projects involving over Tk 2100 crore aimed at rehabilitating families of July martyrs and the injured protesters. The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference room in Dhaka. Under the two project, s 804 flats will be constructed at Mirpur Section-14 for martyred families at an estimated cost of Tk 761.16 crore and 1,560 flats at Mirpur Section-9 for injured protesters involving Tk 1,344.41 crore. Six 14-storey buildings with common basements and twelve 10-storey buildings will be constructed at Mirpur section 14 between January 2026 and December 2029. Read more: Don’t exploit July-August uprising for political gain: Salahuddin The project was initially reviewed by ECNEC on July 27, 2025. Besides, 1,560 flats for families of July movement participants who became permanently disabled will be built between  July 2025 to June 2029. The project will comprise 15 buildings each 14 storeys including a basement. After the ECNEC meeting Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud told reporters that the two projects were placed on separate implementation timelines based on the nature of support required by the affected families. He said the construction of 1,560 residential flats in Mirpur Section-9 for families of July warriors who lost their ability to work during the 2024 Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will commence in July 2025 and continue until June 2029. Read more: July Memorial set on fire in Manikganj He noted that the second scheme—construction of the “36 July” residential complex in Mirpur Section-14 for the families of those killed during the movement will run from January 2026 to December 2029. Dr Mahmud pointed out that extending support to families of those permanently disabled is comparatively straightforward as eligibility is clear and can be verified directly. Under existing laws, he said, determining the rightful recipient of such benefits—whether the spouse, parents, or other heirs—may require judicial clarity or internal agreement within families. He added that the government would follow the established policy framework, already documented and approved, to ensure fairness and legal consistency while allocating the flats. Where necessary, courts may provide final determinations, while in other cases families may resolve inheritance matters themselves before allocations proceed. “The policy under which such support is provided is already recorded, and allocations will be made accordingly,” he told reporters. Read more: ECNEC clears 17 projects with Tk 15,383 cr

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Monday approved 17 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 15,383.51 crore. Of the total outlay, Tk 9,451.84 crore will come from the government’s own resources, Tk 5,609.70 crore as project loans, and Tk 379.31 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds. The approval came at an ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in the Planning Commission with Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Prof  Muhammad Yunus in the chair. The two projects under the Ministry of Agriculture are the “Sustainable Agricultural Development in the Chattogram Region” project and the second revised “Quality Seed Potato Production, Preservation and Strengthened Distribution to Farmers” project. The Power and Energy Ministry got approval for two projects-  the drilling of three exploration wells (Srikail Deep-1, Mobarakpur Deep-1 and Fenchuganj South-1), and the construction of the 220-MW Sonagazi Solar Power Plant. Three projects under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works include the construction of 1,560 residential flats in Mirpur-9 for families of  July activists who lost work capacity, the construction of the ‘36 July’ residential flats for families of  July martyrs, and the modernisation of electrical, mechanical and fire-safety equipment at Bangladesh Secretariat, Transport Pool, Ministers’ Apartments and secretary residences. The Ministry of Bridges received approval for the third revised “Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-6)” and the development of the Sirajganj–Raiganj (Chandaikona) district highway to appropriate standards and width. The meeting also approved the “Narayanganj Green and Resilient Urban Development Project (NGRUDP)” under the Local Government Division, and a revised project under the Social Welfare Ministry titled “Autism and NDD Services Centre (2nd Revised).” The Finance Ministry secured approval for the “Japan Human Resources Development Scholarship (JDS) Project (2nd Phase),” while the ICT Division received clearance for the first revised “Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development” project. Under the Education Ministry, the “Completion of Construction of the Third Academic and Central Research Building (10-storey foundation, 10 floors) and Other Structures at Noakhali Science and Technology University” was approved. Three more projects under the Health and Family Welfare Ministry were endorsed: “Climate Responsive Reproductive Health and Population Services Improvement and System Strengthening for Results,” the first revised “Establishment of Essential Biotech and Research Centre, Munshiganj,” and the project covering essential operational activities of the Directorate General of Health Services, Directorate General of Drug Administration and the Community Clinic Health Support Trust. During the meeting, ECNEC members were also briefed on 15 small-scale projects  each costing less than Tk 50 crore which had earlier been approved by the Planning Adviser. These projects include the modernisation of Bangladesh Betar Chattogram Centre, infrastructure development in several district stadiums, the third revised IMPACT–Phase 3 project for poverty alleviation, upgrades to academic institutions, cultural centres, fisheries development initiatives, rural infrastructure improvement in Gazipur, biodiversity enhancement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, drainage system improvement in Chapainawabganj, and the second revised infrastructure development scheme for Dinajpur Municipality.

A Tk 1.5-crore project to renovate a vulnerable Teesta River dam in Nohali Union, Rangpur, has turned into a hub of illegal sand extraction, political involvement and profit-making, raising concerns among locals. Instead of reinforcing the embankment, influential groups and contractors are allegedly using the project to extract sand illegally. Locals describe it as a ‘sand looting festival’. The Water Development Board (Rangpur Zone) said the UNDP allocated Tk 1,38,94,085 to renovate a 1,206-metre stretch. Read more: Govt moves to modernise BSTI labs with Tk 851.93cr project Contractor Hasibul Hasan was officially in charge, but subcontractor Bharat Prasad is actually doing the work. Multiple irregularities have already been reported. No public notice board, required by law, was displayed at the site. Locals claim the work is proceeding secretly with the knowledge of PAUBO Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam. The official plan called for profiling the embankment with bamboo, pegs, and coconut-husk ropes, bringing soil from distant areas, and planting grass and tree seedlings. Instead, a 300-metre stretch has been filled only with sand, and a dredger is being prepared to extract sand directly from the river. Day labourer Serajul Islam said, “Four of us work here extracting sand for Tk 3,000 per day. The Executive Engineer knows about it.” Residents say local political figures, including UP Chairman Ashraf, former member Wahed, UP member Bakul (BNP), and member Azharul, are involved in the illegal sand removal. Most of the sand is sold outside, not used for the embankment. A 70-year-old former WDB employee warned that continued sand extraction could destroy homes in future floods. Attempts to protest were reportedly stopped by the Executive Engineer. Read more: Project launched to boost climate resilience, food security in Cox’s Bazar Subcontractor Bharat Prasad admitted he is managing the work through local political leaders and had paused site visits due to disputes over bamboo supply. UP member Azharul Islam claimed, “We are all working together; there is no problem.” Other local political leaders, including Ashraf Ali (Jatiya Party), Chand Sarker (BNP), Rifat Chowdhury (NCP), and Nayebuzzaman (Jamaat-e-Islami), denied involvement. PAUBO Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam initially defended sand extraction but later admitted irregularities and said he halted the work, ordering sand removal and proper reconstruction. UNO Mahmud Hasan Mridha said an investigation will be conducted, with action taken as needed, supported by Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan. Read more: Teesta cries for survival as northern Bangladesh’s lifeline runs dry

The government has taken up a Tk 851.93 crore project to expand and modernise the physical and chemical laboratories of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to improve product testing, strengthen consumer protection and ensure better quality control in local and imported goods. Officials said the Ministry of Industries has initiated the project, with BSTI serving as the implementing agency, and it will be carried out from July 2025 to June 2028 at Tejgaon under the Dhaka North City Corporation. Of the total cost, they said, Tk 801.93 crore will come from government funds while the remaining Tk 50 crore from the government’s own resources. According to the officials, the main objective is to upgrade BSTI’s testing capacity and align it with international standards so that industries, traders and consumers receive faster, more accurate and reliable services. They said the country’s food safety challenges, increasing cases of adulteration and the need for globally compliant products in export markets have underscored the urgency of upgrading BSTI’s testing capacity to ensure safer goods at home and stronger acceptance abroad. Under the project, a 13-storey building with a basement will be constructed on 12,519.04 square metres of land. New chemical and physical laboratories will be set up and existing ones will be expanded and modernised. BSTI launches unified e-service platform A total of 20 new chemical testing laboratories will be built, while 18 existing ones will be upgraded. Besides, 15 new physical testing labs will be installed and 14 current ones will be developed further. The project also plans to purchase 781 advanced machines and instruments along with chemicals, certified reference materials, glassware, computers and office equipment. Five specialised system-based laboratories will be set up for testing air-conditioning equipment, refrigeration, transformers, LED lamps and solar modules. BSTI currently tests 299 mandatory products and 79 import-regulated items under the Commerce Ministry’s import policy. It also provides testing services for public, private and voluntary organisations. Despite having its headquarters in Dhaka and 10 other offices across the country, BSTI still faces limitations due to inadequate infrastructure and manpower. A separate project is underway to establish 10 new regional offices but growing national demand for testing led to the proposal for this large-scale modernisation programme. Read more: Counterfeit goods flood Bangladesh; is BSTI asleep? Once completed, the officials said, BSTI’s testing capacity will increase substantially, said officials. Physical, electrical and textile testing capacity is expected to rise by 50 percent while chemical and food testing capacity will go up by 33 percent, they said. The institution will be able to issue around 20,000 test reports annually for chemical and food samples and 12,000 reports for physical, electrical and textile products. The Planning Commission has recommended the project saying it will play a key role in ensuring consumer rights, preventing adulteration and supporting fair trade practices. It said stronger quality control will help local industries grow and make Bangladeshi products more competitive in international markets. Accurate testing ensures safer consumer goods, prevents substandard imports, protects public health and boosts confidence in locally made products. A modern BSTI also helps exporters meet global compliance standards — a major requirement for entering premium foreign markets. With upgraded labs and skilled personnel, local industries will be able to certify products faster, reduce production delays and maintain international quality benchmarks. The officials believe that improved testing services will help curb adulteration, ensure correct measurement in commercial activity and create new export opportunities by increasing the production of high-quality goods. Read more: Project launched to boost climate resilience, food security in Cox’s Bazar

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday (November 17) alleged that the fascist Awami League is using ‘money looted from various banks and mega projects’ to buy cocktails and carry out acts of sabotage. “Those who committed crimes during the fascist era are now the ones shamelessly setting buses on fire. Cocktails are being bought with money looted from different banks. Funds misappropriated from projects like the Padma Bridge and Metro Rail are being used to finance acts of sabotage,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. During the fascist rule, he said the Awami League controlled the media and carried out vicious propaganda against BNP leaders and activists who were fighting for democracy, falsely linking them to arson attacks. “Even then, we repeatedly said that pro-democracy people had no connection with these arson incidents, and BNP leaders and activists had no involvement. We also presented clear evidence at the time that pro-democracy activists and the BNP had absolutely no link to arson violence,” he said. The BNP leader said the true perpetrators of arson violence are now visible to everyone. Read more: Tarique hails Australian MPs’ call for democracy, election integrity in Bangladesh He said their party wants a peaceful Bangladesh where people of all opinions can speak freely, and where elections take place smoothly, fairly, and in an inclusive environment. Rizvi said the crimes committed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure must face due punishment. “If Sheikh Hasina is properly punished for her crimes, it will stand as a powerful example. The previous fascist government controlled the media to spread propaganda. People believe there will be no more dictated courts like in Sheikh Hasina’s era. The country’s people want fair justice, and they are now witnessing it and will continue to witness it,” he said. He recalled the brutal mass killings during the July–August uprising carried out by the Hasina regime using law enforcement agencies. “We still remember how Abu Sayed, Mugdho, and Waseem Akram were brutally murdered, and how many children were mercilessly killed. Those horrific memories remain with us.” The BNP leader alleged that Sheikh Hasina has been making unfair statements from India to create chaos in Bangladesh. “Why is India allowing this? By sheltering a criminal and giving her the scope to incite violence and carry out subversive activities against Bangladesh, India is violating the law. The people of Bangladesh do not view this positively. Such behaviour is unacceptable.” Replying to a question, Rizvi said, as in the previous year, instructions have been given not to hold any programmes, including cutting any cake, on Tuesday (20 November) to mark BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s birthday. Read more: Fakhrul calls for resistance against ‘vested quarter’ ahead of Hasina verdict

The government of Bangladesh has taken a project aimed at strengthening the resilience and livelihoods of poor and marginal communities in Cox’s Bazar, one of Bangladesh’s most disaster-prone districts,  through sustainable, nature-based solutions. The project, titled “PRO-ACT Bangladesh – Resilience Strengthening through Agri-Food Systems Transformation in Cox’s Bazar,” will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and is set to run until June, 2028. With an estimated cost of Tk 53.01 crore, fully funded by foreign grants, the project seeks to improve food and income security, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce disaster risks in four upazilas — Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhiya, and Teknaf. Under the initiative, 10,000 farmers will receive training and input support to cultivate nutrient-rich crops, while 600 families involved in aquaculture will be trained in modern fish-farming techniques. Besides, 1,050 farmers will be supported in toxin-free dry fish processing including branding and market access development. Read more: Access to credit for agri sector can enhance food security: Bangladesh Bank Governor The project also envisions creating five agricultural aggregation centres to boost market connectivity and promote ICT-based agricultural extension services. Local service providers and farmers’ groups will be trained on financial literacy, digital tools, and business planning to improve access to agricultural credit and strengthen value chains. To enhance disaster preparedness, communities will receive training on the Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) and crop-based land use maps will be developed to integrate disaster risk reduction into agricultural planning. According to the Planning Commission, the project will play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and addressing the environmental degradation worsened by the Rohingya refugee influx — including deforestation, land erosion, and waterlogging. Funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Forest Department, and Department of Fisheries, PRO-ACT Bangladesh focuses on restoring ecosystems and strengthening the adaptive capacities of vulnerable populations. With a target to reach more than 54,000 beneficiaries, including smallholder farmers, women, and marginalised groups, the initiative aims to transform Cox’s Bazar’s agri-food systems through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable resource management, and inclusive economic opportunities. Officials said the project aligns with Bangladesh’s long-term climate adaptation goals and underscores the government’s commitment to building a resilient future in the face of worsening climate challenges. Read more: Bangladesh's food security at risk as farmland shrinks by 3.75 percent in 8 Years: BBS Survey Cox’s Bazar is facing frequent exposure to a wide range of natural hazards and extreme weather conditions such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods and  storm surges. In recent years, the district has been particularly vulnerable to recurring landslides and cyclones. The severity of these disasters is worsened by widespread poverty and the limited coping capacity of local communities — with about 33 percent of the district’s population living below the poverty line, according to UNDP. Since 2017, Cox’s Bazar has also hosted around one million Rohingya refugees, which has significantly increased the population at risk. The influx has contributed to new environmental and safety challenges, including deforestation, hill-cutting, and mounting pressure on infrastructure. Because of overcrowded settlements, hilly terrain, and temporary housing conditions, Rohingya families are particularly susceptible to severe weather events. Read more: Dream project derails; Khulna-Mongla railway struggles without freight flow

World Bank will provide USD 2.25 billion as loan to Bangladesh to develop various sectors, including regional trade and connectivity, disaster preparedness and environmental management. A loan agreement was signed on Monday (May 01, 2023) between Bangladesh and the World Bank for implementing five projects. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and World Bank President David Malpass witnessed the exchanges of the financing agreement. Read: Stay with us in implementing future physical & social mega projects: PM Hasina to WB This loan agreement comprises five projects: ·        Accelerating transport and trade connectivity in Eastern South Asia (ACCESS) – Bangladesh Phase-1 Project worth USD 753.45 million. ·        USD 500 million Resilient Infrastructure Building Project (RIVER) for resilience, adaptation and vulnerability reduction that will be the first major investment to support Bangladesh’s Delta Plan 2100. It will help improve disaster preparedness against inland flooding. ·        USD 500 million First Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development (GCRD) project is the first such credit that will help the country’s transition to resilient development. ·        USD 250 million Sustainable Microenterprise and Resilient Transformation (SMART) project aims to help transform the microenterprise sector into a more dynamic, less polluting, resource efficient and climate resilient growth sector. ·        USD 250 million Bangladesh Environmental Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) project to help strengthen environmental management and promote private sector participation in green investment. Read More: External pressure behind World Bank's withdrawal from Padma Bridge, says PM Hasina urging it to look into future