Wednesday, June 13, 2007

On the scene in Bangladesh


Though the UNDP does not specialize in immediate aid and relief, it recognizes a humanitarian crisis when it sees one.

Mudslides caused by heavy rains in Chittagong, Bangladesh have inundated one-third of the city, affecting the lives of approximately 1.5 million people.


Yesterday, the UNDP in Bangladesh allocated $20,000 to complement national efforts to respond to the emergency, as well as five vehicles, including fuel and drivers, to support ongoing relief operations.

Beyond this emergency aid, UNDP has several ongoing projects in the country relating to disaster prevention and environmental sustainability. These projects are designed to build Bangladesh's capacity including helping Bangladesh develop emergency response strategies.