UK Development Director and Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh Matt Cannell has said the devastating flooding in Sylhet last year and Chittagong division this year demonstrates Bangladesh’s vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change.

“The UK is proud to partner with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support greater disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Bangladesh. I am pleased to announce this during the government of Bangladesh and UNDP’s Disaster Resilience Week,” he said, announcing that the UK is providing £500,000 to the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support disaster preparedness, response and recovery in Bangladesh.

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The Deputy High Commissioner said this will help guarantee that disaster responses are coordinated and well-informed, and that more preparations are made ahead of disasters, limiting their impact and saving lives.

“This builds on the UK's historic support for humanitarian response in Bangladesh and complements the Government of Bangladesh's remarkable work on disaster resilience and response to date,” he said.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis said the partnership with the UK will enhance coordination across the UN and NGOs in Bangladesh, and as a result strengthen support to the government of Bangladesh, and most importantly to the people most affected by natural disasters.

“The impacts of climate change and the resulting intensity of disasters means this work is more important than ever. Our efforts are focused on better early warning systems, anticipatory action and a quick and timely response to emergencies and disasters,” she said.

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This money will aid in the coordination of humanitarian assistance provided by the Government of Bangladesh, donors, the UN, and NGOs prior to, during, and after disaster events.

It will also ensure that this help reaches the most vulnerable people with the most essential relief supplies, said the British High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday.

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Furthermore, it will assist the government of Bangladesh in developing a new risk assessment and contingency plan for earthquakes, as well as expand its work on anticipatory actions and early warning systems to assist people in taking precautions to protect their lives before disasters strike.