Foreign-Affairs
Work of HR treaty bodies at risk: UN Committee Chairs
Chairpersons of the 10 UN committees that monitor the implementation of international human right treaties have called on States to properly support their work, warning that the current underfunding is set to affect upcoming review meetings from September onwards.
Coronavirus: Home Minister wishes early recovery of Amit Shah
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has expressed deep concern over the hospitalisation of his Indian counterpart Amit Shah after he tested positive for coronavirus.
UN Women, WDO to jointly work to prevent VAWG
The UN Women in Asia and the Pacific and the World Design Organization (WDO) have decided to support the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Expat Bangladeshis remitted record $2.6bn in July
Expatriate Bangladeshis have sent home $2.6 billion in July alone – the highest monthly remittance received in the country’s history – despite all sorts of troubles that accompanied the global coronavirus pandemic.
BEZA to sign land lease deal with Yabang Group
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) is scheduled to sign a land lease agreement with Yabang Group of China on Tuesday.
WFP, Oxfam, Green Delta Insurance join hands to protect labourers
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Oxfam Bangladesh and Green Delta Insurance Company Ltd have launched a new insurance scheme to protect casual agricultural labourers in Bangladesh from floods during this monsoon.
EU provides Tk 10 mn for flood victims in Bangladesh
The European Union is providing EUR 100,000, almost Tk 10 million, in humanitarian aid funding to assist the most vulnerable communities in response to severe flooding that has affected nearly one-third of Bangladesh.
Norway to provide $1.5 million to support improved ship recycling in Bangladesh
Norway has committed approximately US$1.5 million (14 million Norwegian Kroner) to support improved ship recycling in Bangladesh.
WB okays $202 mn credit to enhance food storage capacity in Bangladesh
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $202 million in additional financing for the Modern Food Storage Facilities Project to increase the storage capacity of Bangladesh’s national strategic grain reserves by 535,500 tons for 4.5 million households.
The project is helping Bangladesh address food insecurity in challenging times, such as frequent climate-induced disasters or crisis situations like the current COVID-19 pandemic, according to a WB release.
It is supporting the construction of eight public modern grain storage steel silo complexes for rice and wheat in eight different districts.
On top of current construction work taking place in Ashuganj, Madhupur and Mymensingh, the additional financing will support the construction of rice silos in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Barishal, and wheat silos will be built in Chattogram and Maheshwarpasha.
The additional financing will increase the grain reserve available to households to meet their post-disaster needs and improve the efficiency of grain storage management through an online Food Stock and Market Monitoring System (FSMMS).
The project will also create new job opportunities, especially for women, in the operation and management of silos.
“Nearly 80 percent of Bangladesh’s population lives in rural areas with climate shocks threatening their livelihoods, welfare, and food security,” said Mohammad Anis, Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
He said that this modern food storage system, combined with an effective distribution system, will help ensure food security after a natural disaster or during a crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Mamata greets PM on occasion of Eid
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.