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Dhaka, Thursday, December 13, 2007— Visiting World Bank Vice President Praful C. Patel said it was imperative for Bangladesh to build on its positive experience of providing relief in the wake of natural calamities to face the longer-term challenges of disaster mitigation and prevention.
Earlier today Patel visited the cyclone-affected Kalapara upazilla of Patuakhali District. He heard from the communities how they are coping in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr and how they are attempting to rebuild their lives and recover their sources of income and livelihood. He visited a damaged embankment, which was breached by a surge during the cyclone and handed over relief materials to the affected citizens there.
“I was shocked to see the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr and its impact on the people,” said Patel. “Even after one month, the damage remains evident. The experience was clearly dreadful and the challenge of recovery is enormous. But I was also moved by the people’s resilience and their drive to get back on their feet.”
Patel met with several communities, and appreciated the government’s ground-level relief works in the Barisal division, including Kalapara.
Patel flew to Barisal this morning after arriving in Dhaka early today on a three-day visit to Bangladesh. At Barisal, Patel was briefed on ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts by the government’s post-cyclone coordination team.
Cautioning that Bangladesh was one of the countries most exposed to the impact of climate change, Patel said: “It is imperative for Bangladesh to build on its positive experiences of immediate relief following natural calamities to face the longer-term challenges of mitigation, prevention and adaptation to the impacts of climate change.”
Before returning to the capital, Patel flew over southern coastal areas, covering Kuakata, Patharghata, and Shoronkhola, as well as the Sundarbans forest to observe the devastation caused by the Cyclone Sidr.
Contacts:
Dhaka: S.M.Rezwan-ul-Alam (880-2) 8159001 Ext. 4242
E-mail: salam3@worldbank.org
Washington: Benjamin S. Crow 202 473 5105
E-mail: bcrow@worldbank.org
For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit:http://www.worldbank.org.bd
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