United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over a new multi-purpose disaster shelter to Bangladesh government in Naikhangchori Upazilla of Bandarban district recently.
The shelter is one of 25 new multi-purpose disaster shelters and 96 existing cyclone shelters being funded and refurbished by the US government to serve as both safe havens and as schools in Cox’s Bazar, according to a media statement issued on Friday.
On behalf of US Embassy in Dhaka, USAID Country Mission Director Derrick Brown joined Director General of the Department of Disaster Management Md Atiqul Huq, Save the Children’s Country Director Onno van Manen and other government officials to inaugurate the new multi-purpose cyclone shelter (MPCS) located in Baishpari village of Naikhangchori Upazilla on Thursday.
This new multi-purpose shelter is the latest demonstration of the long-term US commitment to the people of Bangladesh as the country nears its 50th anniversary of independence.
The new MPCS, which can accommodate 400 people during natural disasters, is one of the government’s primary schools refurbished under the USAID/Bangladesh Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelter Repair and Refurbishment programme.
So far, 23 of 46 schools have been refurbished in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban. Renovation work included updating the school’s water, sanitation, and electrical systems, painting, and installing child-friendly furniture.
At the function, USAID Country Mission Director Brown said, “I’m honored to be part of the handover of this repaired and refurbished Baishpari government primary school/Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelter (MPCS) facility”.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest, Mr. Atiqul Haque said, “Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in disaster risk reduction through a paradigm shift from a relief oriented to a comprehensive approach. I am happy to see that with the support of USAID, local government primary schools are able to provide shelter during disasters.”
With another project, USAID is providing support for the construction of 25 new Multi-Purpose Disaster Shelters (MPDS) in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban through a joint project being implemented by CARE, Save the Children, and local partner, GRAUS.
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