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Dhaka, December 15 2007 – Visiting World Bank Vice President Praful Patel today urged Bangladesh’s development partners to support the disaster-prone country as it shifted into high gear to meet the challenges of future disasters and the likely increase in impact caused by climate change.“Bangladesh has made huge progress in dealing with recurring disasters over past decades and its improving responses have significantly reduced the loss of life and suffering,” said Patel. “Now Bangladesh faces a challenge amplified by the potential effects of climate change and the government has rightly recognized that planning future management, mitigation and adaptation to these changes must begin urgently.”The World Bank added an additional US$25 million to the US$250 million commitment it made in the immediate wake of Cyclone Sidr.Patel has been in Bangladesh on a three day visit meeting senior government officials and visiting districts where the effect of the cyclone was hardest felt.“Seeing firsthand the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr was shocking,” said Patel of his visit to Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district. “The magnitude of the devastation is huge and the challenge of rebuilding the lives of the victims is formidable.”He said he was moved by the people’s resilience and their determination to get back on their feet. He also complemented the government, both, for its pre-cyclone evacuation efforts and for moving swiftly to help the affected people cope with the aftermath. “This is the Bangladesh we know and admire,” he added.At a media conference in Dhaka before his departure today Patel stressed that Bangladesh’s economy had indeed suffered strong adverse shocks in quick succession this year. First, the unabated increase in international prices of oil, food and other commodities. Second, the damage caused by the two natural shocks: the floods in July-September; and the destruction by Cyclone Sidr. Moreover, in the absence of any domestic price adjustments, rising oil and fertilizer prices are putting an inordinate fiscal burden on the FY08 budget. The Caretaker Government is also paying close attention to that issue.The price shocks alone were likely to have inflicted losses on the economy this year of US$1.6 billion, said Patel. Further, preliminary numbers on damages caused by the natural disasters suggest that the floods will cost over $1 billion and cyclone probably over $2 billion. “The government alone cannot deal with a problem of such enormous magnitude,” said Patel, appealing to both Bangladeshi citizens and the international community to help the country out of its economic difficulties. In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, the Bank offered up to US$ 250 million assistance to cover immediate, medium-term and long-term needs. Fast-moving budget support of US$75 million was to have been available after the Board approval by January but Patel said the scale of what he had seen during his visit had prompted him to recommend to the Board to increase that to US$100 million as a gesture of further support to reduce pressure on the FY08 budget.Of the total amount, US$50 million would be available by April next year to help citizens rebuild their livelihoods. In the longer term, the Bank had suggested up to $125 million for supporting the vision of disaster prevention and management articulated by the Chief Advisor, Fakhruddin Ahmed recently, said Patel. This would support activities like building and repairing embankments as well as more shelters.“But we will work closely with the government and other development partners and scale up our financial resources to several hundred million dollars if needed,” said Patel.He described the country’s challenge as a future “trapped between the melting Himalayas in the north and the encroaching Bay of Bengal to the south”. Bangladesh was extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and recent research suggested that climate change could be expected to worsen the intensity and frequency of natural disasters. During his visit Patel met with Chief Advisor Ahmed, Finance and Planning Advisor Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam, senior Government officials, development partners and members of civil society. He said he came away with a very clear sense that the time had come for Bangladesh’s partners to look at the country’s flood and cyclone vulnerability through the perspective of climate change. “Climate variability and change are critical development issues for Bangladesh today and it is indeed heartening that the government, the civil society and the international community recognize the importance of this issue,” he said.For its part the Bank was already engaging the Government in a widespread study and planning process looking at coastal zone management, precisely the area that is most vulnerable in Bangladesh. This would include building climate resilience into infrastructure design, strengthening mangrove and tidal shelter belts. Further it was critical that adaptation strategy be integrated into all policy making and new infrastructure decisions. Contacts:Dhaka: S.M.Rezwan-ul-Alam (880-2) 8159001 – Ext. 4242E-mail: salam3@worldbank.orgWashington: Benjamin S. Crow 202 473 5105E-mail: bcrow@woreldbank.org more..
