Bangladesh
COVID-19 Response: Japan provides ASEF equipment to Bangladesh
The government of Japan will provide over 340,000 items including isolation gowns to Bangladesh to fight Covid-19, which are part of the Asia-Europe Foundation’s stockpiled items financed by Japan.
There will be 30,000 isolation gowns, 2,500 safety goggles, 100,000 gloves and 208,000 masks as the assistance for COVID-19 response, Japan announced on Wednesday.
These goods will be delivered by Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) to Bangladesh from the warehouse in Singapore in coordination with the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO).
Read: Japanese company to invest $25m in Ishwardi EPZ
Japan has provided various kinds of support, including emergency budget support loans, grants of medical equipment, and other support through international organizations to help Bangladesh suppress the COVID-19.
Japan will continue to cooperate with Bangladesh to overcome this unprecedented crisis, said the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) was founded in 1996 in Singapore as a permanent body of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). It has been engaged in multiple activities with a focus on the socio-cultural field.
General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir on Wednesday said the General Assembly has not forgotten the Rohingya people.
"To the people I met, I will uphold my promise to share your stories back in New York," he tweeted after visiting Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar district.
The UNGA President said, "I came face to face with resilience today in Cox’s Bazar. We often speak about the Rohingya in UNGA - but today I spoke with them."
Read: Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President
Earlier on Tuesday, he said basic rights, including to citizenship, and the creation of conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingyas must be respected.
“The safety and security of the Rohingya and other minorities must be secured,” he said while delivering his keynote speech at the Sixth Lecture of the Bangabandhu Lecture Series at Foreign Service Academy.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also spoke at the programme titled “Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and the United Nations.”
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, were present.
Bozkir said he firmly believes they cannot speak on these issues from afar. “The United Nations must continue to reach out to the people we serve.”
Turning to the issue of human rights and humanitarian action, he commended Bangladesh for offering shelter and protection to the Rohingya fleeing persecution and unspeakable crimes in Rakhine State.
Bozkir mentioned that Bangladesh stepped up at a moment of crisis to uphold the principles of the United Nations when most vulnerable neighbours endured their darkest hour.
“Please allow me, on behalf of the United Nations General Assembly, to thank you. History will define your actions as heroic,” he said.
Read: Bhasan Char to become another example to world: UNGA President
Bangladesh records lowest Covid deaths in over two months
Bangladesh logged 17 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Wednesday morning, the lowest number in 68 days.
The country saw 16 Covid-19 deaths on March 18 last.
Besides, 1,497 new cases were recorded taking the total caseload to 7,93,693, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The Covid-19 positivity rate declined to 9.11 percent from Tuesday’s 10.08 percent while the mortality rate remained static at 1.57 percent, the handout said.
Health authorities recorded the new cases after testing 16,434 samples in the last 24 hours.
With 1,056 recoveries in the past 24 hours, the country's recovery rate now stands at 92.46.
As of now, 7,33,866 people have recovered from the disease.
Eight of the 17 deaths recorded today are from Chattogram and five are from Dhaka divisions.
Also read: Bangladesh braces for worst Covid outbreak by June-end: Experts
One each died in Khulna, Barishal, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.
The country so far carried out 58,71,353 sample tests since reporting its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on March 18, 2020.
Cyclone Yaas: Low-lying areas go under water in 3 Khulna upazilas
Low-lying areas in Koyra, Dacope and Paikgachha upazilas of Khulna district were inundated by tidal surge triggered by Cyclone Yaas that made a landfall in eastern India on Wednesday.
The residents of the three upazilas have been experiencing light rains or drizzles since Wednesday noon and the local administration has opened over 1,000 cyclone shelters.
Besides, volunteers, Red Crescent workers and members of law enforcement agencies are working to tackle the situation and ensure safety of the people living in coastal areas of the country.
Read:Cyclone 'Yaas': 1 killed, low-lying areas inundated in Bhola
Amirul Azad, a senior meteorologist at Khulna regional met office, said low-lying areas are likely to be inundated by tidal surges of 3-4 feet high due to the full moon phase and cyclone Yaas.
The local met office, meanwhile, recorded 21 mm of rainfall in the past two days in the district.
Mohammad Azizul Haque Zoardar, district relief and rehabilitation officer, said 1,048 cyclone shelters have been kept ready in nine upazilas of the district.
Besides, there are 724 schools, colleges and madrashas which will be turned into shelter centres, if needed, as those have the capacity to accommodate 4 lakh people.
Besides, he said, 116 medical teams are working in the district.
The Executive Engineer of Satkhira Water Development Board-2, Rashidur Rahman, said 24 points of 155-km long embankment in Koyra upazila has been identified as a risky one.
If the tidal surges go up to 8-10 feet above the normal astronomical tide, then it will be difficult to save the embankment, he said, adding that they are on alert.
Koyra Upazila UNO Animesh Biswas said there are 118 cyclone shelters in the upazila which can accommodate 65,000-70,000 people.
ABM Khalid Hossain Siddique, the UNO of Paikgachha upazila, said 108 shelters having the capacity of accommodating 59,000 people have been prepared. Some 3,000 volunteers are ready to evacuate people, if necessary.
Read:3 injured, 50 houses destroyed in storm ahead of Yaas
Besides, 11 medical teams are ready to provide treatment, Khalid said.
Khulna Police Super Mahbub Hasan said a committee has been formed in each ward to tackle both the pre- and post-cyclone situations.
Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni
The government has decided to reopen educational institutions, particularly primary, secondary and higher secondary ones, in Bangladesh on June 13 if the Covid-19 situation does not deteriorate.
“We’ve decided to reopen all the educational institutions -- primary, secondary and higher secondary ones -- on June 13. We expect the situation to be much more favourable by the time,” said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.
About reopening universities, the Education Minister said the decision will be taken in consultation with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the university authorities.
Read: Educational institutions must abide by constitution, law: HC
The minister, however, said reopening of public universities depends on vaccination among their resident students, teachers and staff.
“The reopening of universities may slightly depend on vaccination,” she said, adding that the government will soon start vaccination among resident students, teachers, officers and employees of universities on a priority basis.
Initially, the institutions will remain open for six days a week for the class-V students as well as SSC and HSC candidates of 2021 and 2022, while for one day for the students of other classes. The number of classroom lectures will increase gradually for the students of other classes, she said.
The government has already taken preparations so that the SSC and HSC examinees for 2021 can sit for their examinations attending the classes for 60 days and 84 days respectively. And their syllabuses were shortened accordingly. The examinations will begin at least two weeks after the classes, the minister added.
Read Schools, colleges likely to remain closed until Eid: Dipu
The periods for in-person classes will be 150 days and 180 days for SSC and HSC candidates of 2022. The syllabuses for the examinees of 2022 have also been shortened.
Dipu Moni urged all to follow the health guidelines and thus help the government create a favourable environment for reopening the educational institutions.
“On one hand, we ask for reopening educational institutions and increase the (Covid-19) infection rate on the other hand by not following the health guidelines. These two things can't go together,” she said.
The minister said the online and television-based teaching and assignment-based academic activity are going on amid the ongoing closure of educational institutions.
Read Japan's role key to Bangladesh's further development: Dipu Moni
She said the Covid-19 infection rate has risen slightly due to the recent mass exodus during the Eid holidays.
“The infection rate has risen suddenly in some districts. Keeping such issues in mind, we’re extending the closure of our educational institutions until June 12. We hope the situation will improve by the time, and then we can reopen the institutions,” she said.
The minister, however, said the government will reopen the educational institutions on the basis of adequate data and favourable opinions.
She said the government takes its decision following discussions with the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19. “We’ll take the decision (on reopening the educational institutions) based on discussions with them this time, too,” she added.
Read: Assess situation before reopening educational institutions: PM
According to expert views, if the Covid-19 infection rate remains within 5 percent, it will create a favourable situation to reopen educational institutions, Dipu Moni added.
In reply to a question about the JSC examinations, the minister said if the situation remains conducive, the government will hold examinations, or else, those would be assignment-based ones.
She said the government has collected data of the dropped-out students and now those are being analysed. “So, we’ll soon get a complete report on it (dropout),” she added.
Replying to another question, Dr Dipu Moni said there is a slim chance to give auto-pass to the SSC and HSC candidates of 2021 unlike the HSC candidates of 2020.
Read Students protest, demand re-opening of their institutions
She said the HSC candidates of 2020 had joined the classes for full two years, sat for pre-tests and taken all-out preparations for the examinations, but the exams were postponed just a few days ago.
This time, she said, the SSC and HSC candidates could not attend their normal classes throughout last year. “So, the scope to give them an auto-pass is very thin.”
Speaking at the press conference, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain said the primary schools will also be reopened on June 13 next. “It won’t be a bad decision if we reopen the schools making sure that health rules are followed,” he said.
Initially, the schools will remain open for six days a week for the class-V students, while one day for class-I to class-IV students, said the state minister.
The government shut the educational institutions on March 17, 2020 after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. Then the closure was extended several times, most recently until May 29, 2021.
Read:Bangladesh braces for worst Covid outbreak by June-end: Experts
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh witnessed a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and fatalities as it recorded 40 more deaths and 1,675 cases in 24 hours until Tuesday morning.
The Covid positivity rate rose to 10.08 percent again during the period after remaining below 10 percent since May 15. The country had been seeing below 40 deaths since May 13.
Health authorities registered 1,675 new cases after testing 16,624 samples during the 24-hour period.
Besides, the mortality rate remained static at 1.57 percent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read Prof Mahmood Hossain new Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University
Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Positivity rate crosses 10 pc again; 40 more die
Bangladesh witnessed a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and fatalities as it recorded 40 more deaths and 1675 cases in 24 hours until Tuesday morning.
The Covid positivity rate rose to 10.08 percent again during the period after maintaining it below 10 percent since May 15.
Read: Bangladesh reports two ‘black fungus’ cases, one suspected death
The country had been seeing below 40 deaths since May13.
Health authorities registered 1,675 new cases after testing 16,624 samples during the 24-hour period.
Besides, the mortality rate remained static at 1.57 percent, said a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With the latest figures, the total caseload reached 7,92,196 and the death tally climbed to 12,441.
Bangladesh’s recovery rate now stands at 92.50% with 1,279 recoveries during the period.
As of now, 7,32,810 people have recovered from the disease.
Eighteen of the 40 deaths recorded today were from Chattogram division while from Dhaka division. Four died in Rajshahi, three each in Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur and one in Sylhet divisions.
Bangladesh so far carried out 58,54,919 sample tests since reporting its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on March 18, 2020.
Worst coming in June-end
With Covid cases keep soaring in frontier districts apparently because of the highly contagious Indian variant, experts fear that Bangladesh may face the worst outbreak of the deadly virus at the end of June next.
They said if the B.1.617, known as the Indian variant, can make its way into other areas from the bordering districts, Bangladesh is likely to witness more than 20,000 cases a day in early July, raising the fatality rate sharply.
Lack of necessary oxygen supply and other healthcare facilities may aggravate the situation, according to the experts.
Terrifying scenario along border
Though the country’s average Covid positivity rate was below 10 percent till Monday, it was very high in different districts along the Indian border.
Chapainawabganj was the worst-hit district with 55 percent infection rate, forcing the local administration to enforce a 7-day strict lockdown from today.
Besides, the positivity rate was over 40 percent in Rajshahi.
The infection rate was also high in some other frontier districts like Satkhira, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Dinajpur, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Sylhet and Moulvibazar.
Talking to UNB, DGHS spokesman Robed Amin said, Covid patients with Indian variants were found in bordering districts, including Chapianwabganj, Rajshahi and Jashore. “It’s alarming news. As this variant spreads fast, the infection rate may continue to surge seriously, if people show apathy to masking up and abiding by health safety rules.
Vaccination
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses purchased from India's Serum Institute.
The administration of the first dose has remained suspended since April 26.
Also, the country, the prime recipient of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the timely arrival of shipments from India.
However, the administering of the 1st dose of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19 began in Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Severe cyclonic storm 'Yaas' lies over northwest Bay, adjoining area
Severe cyclonic storm "Yaas" over northwest bay and adjoining area moved northwestwards further and now lies over the same area.
It was centred at 12 noon on Tuesday about 565 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 525 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 455 kms south , southwest of Mongla port and 445 kms south - southwest of Payra port, said a special bulletin of Met office.
Read:Millions threatened as cyclone spells double trouble in Bangladesh, India: IFRC
It is likely to move northwestwadrs further and may cross West Bengal coast by Wednesday noon (26 may 2021).
Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the severe cyclone centre is about 89 kph Ristng to 117 kph in gusts or squalls.
Sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal number two (r) two.
The coastal district of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100 kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.
Read: Cyclone Yaas: Satkhria authorities gear up to handle situation
Under the influence of the full moon phase, the low-lying areas of the districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and Chattogram are likely to be inundated by 02-04 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter and remain in shelter till further notice.
Rohingya repatriation looks uncertain: Hasina tells UNGA President
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed concern about the repatriation of Rohigyas following the recent development in Myanmar as it has made the process uncertain.“The situation has become uncertain due to the recent developments in Myanmar,” Sheikh Hasina said when visiting UNGA President Volkan Bozkir met her at her official residence Ganobhaban.PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.Mentioning that over one million Rohingya people have taken shelter in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said, “We were in dialogue with the Myanmar government with little progress.”
Read: Rohingya genocide continues after Myanmar military coup: BROUKShe said Bangladesh is monitoring the present situation in Myanmar as the repatriation process has become uncertain.Hasina said Bangladesh has prepared an island, Bhashan Char, for temporary but comfortable shelter of the Myanmar nationals, mentioning that over one lakh Rohingyas can be shifted there. “More than 18,000 have already been shifted.”Ihsanul Karim said both Hasina and Bozkir discussed various issues like the upcoming UNGA session, climate change, Rohingya and Covid-19 pandemic.
About the pandemic in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said the government is trying to save both the lives of people and the economy amid the virus surge.Hasina mentioned about the stimulus packages and other incentives announced for all sections of people to keep the economy moving properly facing the fallouts of the pandemic.
Regarding women empowerment, Hasina said the process to empower women was initiated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman just after Bangladesh’s independence.“We’re just following his path to empower women in all sectors of society – from politics to administration,” she said.The Prime Minister said currently the Leader of the House, Opposition Leader of the House, the Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the House in Bangladesh are women.She said the government has also ensured food security in Bangladesh apart from expanding the social safety net.Bozkir said they are thinking about holding the General Assembly this year with the physical presence of heads of governments. “We’re thinking of allowing a delegation of one-plus persons from each country in this year’s UNGA,” he said.
Read: Efforts underway to resume tripartite talks over Rohingya repatriationHe highly appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the remarkable progress in gender parity and women empowerment in Bangladesh. “Bangladesh has achieved tremendous success led by a lady prime minister.”About Bangladesh’s graduation from the LDC status, Bozkir said Bangladesh has become an example before the whole world. “The people of Bangladesh are very courageous, and they’ll carry it forward,” he said.Turning to the Rohingya issue, the UNGA President highly praised the generosity of Bangladesh for giving shelter to over one million Rohingyas.PM’s daughter Saima Wazed, who is also the Chairperson of the Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin were present during the meeting.
AIIB approves $260 million loan for Mymensingh bridge
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a $260 million loan to help Bangladesh construct a strategically important, state-of-the-art bridge in Mymensingh, which would substantially ease congestion in the northern city.
Once complete, Kewatkhali Bridge will divert traffic from the busy city centre of Mymensingh. Being part of the Dhaka-Mymensingh-India border corridor project, the bridge will also help boost local and regional connectivity, the investment bank said in a release.
Set to be the first arch steel bridge in Bangladesh, Kewatkhali Bridge will make use of the latest advances in technology to improve safety and promote early detection of structural damage, according to AIIB.
Read: AIIB approves $100 million loan to Bangladesh for COVID-19 response
More than 11 million people in Bangladesh’s northern region will benefit from increased mobility and integration of local and regional markets. The bridge will also shorten the travel time for people and vehicles and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
“As in other river delta environments, bridges play a strategic role in Bangladesh’s transport network," said AIIB Senior Investment Operations Specialist Natalia Sanz.
"AIIB considers the financing of Kewatkhali Bridge an opportunity to use the latest technology in bridge maintenance and management to improve its structural performance, service life and the safety of the bridge for residents and motorists,” she said.
Read Skilled workforce, better infrastructure to help Bangladesh grow faster: Canada
The project includes a proposed Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), which, Sanz said, would be used to provide early warnings of structural issues in the main bridge.
Data on load and environmental effects, as well as the bridge responses, would be captured in real time and interfaced with a bridge rating system, allowing for more efficient monitoring and will help in formulating systematic approach to periodic inspection, according to AIIB.
“By studying the changes observed in bridge conditions over time, engineers can develop models to distinguish the effects of maintenance activity from normal wear and tear," Sanz said.
Read:AIIB approves USD 250mn loan for Bangladesh to fight COVID-19
"State-of-the-art work in this area includes deepening our understanding of physical deterioration processes, especially the effect of structural damage on the reliability and performance of structural components,” she added.
Training and institutional development of the Roads and Highways Department on the maintenance and operation of an arch steel bridge and on the use of the BHMS is a core component of the project.
The AIIB is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrow — infrastructure with sustainability being its core. It began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and has since grown to 103 approved members worldwide.
Read BD Finance signs MoU with US-based SIG for infrastructure projects
Bangladeshi injured in BSF firing along Lalmonirhat border
A Bangladeshi national was shot and wounded by the members of Indian Border Security Force(BSF) along Durgapur border in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district early Tuesday.
The victim was identified as Milon Islam, son of Raza Mia of Chauratari area.
Read: Indian teen shot by BSF handed over by BGB
Quoting local people, BGB said, the BSF troops from Padna Camp opened fire on a group of Bangladeshi people numbering 4/5 when they reached near border pillar no 925, leaving Milon injured.
Later, he was taken to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital from where he was taken to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, said commanding officer of BGB-15 Battalion, Towhid.
A letter has been sent to BSF protesting the incident, he said.