DHAKA, Dec 4 (NNN-BSS) — The United States (US) government through USAID has refurbished 12 multi-purpose cyclone shelter (MPCS) in Cox’s Bazar to strengthen capacity and resilience of Bangladesh coastal communities during natural disasters.
One of the shelter centres, located at Uttar Mithachari Government Primary School in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, was handed over to the Bangladesh government Thursday, a US embassy press release said here.
Additional Secretary of disaster management and relief ministry Ronjit Kumar Sen and USAID Bangladesh mission director Derrick Brown jointly inaugurated the shelter centre that can accommodate 1,500 people during a cyclone and provide classroom space for up to 400 students.
This MPCS is one of the 50 already refurbished out of a total of 96 planned under USAID’s Promoting Resilience to Risks of Natural Hazards (USAID/PRERONA) activity in Cox’s Bazar, one of the most disaster-prone districts in Bangladesh.
In the 50 shelters refurbished so far, located at Ramu, Maheshkhali, Chakaria, and Cox’s Bazar Sadar, USAID installed separate washroom facilities, safe drinking water systems, ramp facilities, emergency exits, alternate power sources, improved access roads, learning spaces, and educational materials.
USAID also equipped all the shelter facilities with emergency response equipment to support early search and rescue operations by trained community volunteers.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government’s lead development agency, continues to work closely with its many partners to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in Bangladesh, said the release.
The USAID mission in Bangladesh funds the construction and maintenance of MPCSs throughout the country as well as wave protection walls and earthen embankments to reduce flood damage.
Since 2001, USAID, in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, has constructed over 500 cyclone shelters in coastal areas of Bangladesh with the capacity to protect 900,000 people during severe weather.
The U.S. government, through USAID, has provided more than $8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since its independence. — NNN-BSS
