ADB Approves $250 Million to Help Coastal Towns in Bangladesh Adapt to Climate Change
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given 22 coastal towns in Bangladesh $250 million in financing to help them adapt to climate change and disasters.
ADB Senior Urban Development Specialist for South Asia, Laxmi Sharma, said:
"The climate and natural disaster risks in Bangladesh's coastal towns are likely to get worse as the climate changes. With help from the ADB, the government's Delta Plan 2100 and Eighth Five-Year Plan can deal with climate risks, guide urban development in ways that make cities more resilient, and meet its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals.
"This project will make 22 coastal towns more resilient to climate change and disasters by improving infrastructure and services that are important for building resilience, making it easier for people to adapt, and raising awareness."
The Asian Development Bank's financing consists of $246 million in regular and concessional loans, as well as a $4 million grant from the Asian Development Fund. Bangladesh's government will provide $60 million.
Through this project, infrastructure will be built that will make coastal towns more resistant to the effects of climate change. This infrastructure will include things like stormwater drainage, nature-based solutions, water body restoration, and integrated waste management to help reduce the risk of flooding in cities.
Cyclone shelters with early warning systems will be built, and the needs of the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities will be taken into account. Stormwater drainage bridges, culverts, and roadways will be built and rehabilitated.
In six project towns, a full set of actions will be taken to help vulnerable households, especially poor women, deal with climate shocks and make their lives more stable. These include climate risk assessment for diversifying livelihoods, household skills and resources mapping, enterprise and employment matching, and the provision of livelihood training.
The project will help the Local Government Engineering Department and the project towns learn more about climate and disaster resilience and improve their skills in doing so.
They will learn about green and nature-based solutions, master planning, and IT-based remote monitoring during their training. It will help them make risk-based plans for urban development and build measures to reduce risks. The project will also help increase people's preparedness.
Source: ADB
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