DHAKA, Dec 23, 2024 (BSS) - Access Bangladesh Foundation, in collaboration with Disabled Child Foundation, CBM Global, Caritas Bangladesh, and Nabolok Parishad, organized a national consultation workshop on Sunday .  

The workshop aimed at  developing  an advocacy strategy to promote disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA), a press release said today  .

This initiative is part of two ongoing projects being implemented in Satkhira and Khulna.  
The workshop was attended  by Razwanur Rahman, Director General, Department of Disaster Management as  Chief Guest and Fazle Siddique Md. Yahya, Director and Deputy Secretary, JPUF, Ministry of Social Welfare  as   Special Guest.

Albert Mollah, Executive Director of Access Bangladesh Foundation moderated the event.

Mr. Razwanur Rahman In his address,  described the event as a unique and timely initiative to design an advocacy strategy for making disaster management and climate change adaptation inclusive for persons with disabilities.

 Rahman expressed optimism that the Department of Disaster Management would benefit from the strategic directions identified during the workshop to implement actionable measures for disability inclusion.

He was   pleased to learn that around 5,000 persons with disabilities will directly benefit from different initiatives from the projects.
Speaking on occasion, Yahya emphasized that developing an advocacy strategy is a crucial step toward reducing the risks faced by persons with disabilities during disasters and climate-related events.

He suggested the organizers to disseminate the workshop's outcomes to ministries and relevant government and non-government agencies.

He also reaffirmed JPUF’s commitment to supporting Access Bangladesh Foundation in advancing disability-inclusive DRR and CCA.  

Mr. Albert Mollah drew attention to the disproportionate impact of disasters and climate change on persons with disabilities in Bangladesh.   

He highlighted research findings that while one cyclone typically hit Bangladesh every 2-3 years over the past five decades, the country faced four cyclones in a single year in 2023.

He stressed the urgent need for collective action to ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from DRR and CCA measures.  
 
The workshop saw active participation from diverse groups, including persons with disabilities, representatives of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), government officials, mainstream NGOs, and international NGOs.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Mohua Paul, Chairperson of Access Bangladesh Foundation.
 
This workshop marks an important milestone in promoting inclusive approaches to disaster management and climate resilience in Bangladesh.